Hartland questions treasurer on western suburbs train station budget

Greens MLC Colleen Hartland has questioned the Treasurer in Parliament about discrepancies in the Budget for Caroline Springs and Williams Landing (Point Cook) train stations.

"The government announced new stations for Caroline Springs and Williams Landing, and promised the preliminary design to be completed by March and the projects put out to tender by June next year, but there is no allocation in the State Budget until the 2011/12  financial year - a whole year later", said Colleen Hartland

"I asked the Treasurer how they were planning to complete these tasks if there was no money allocated."

"I'm also concerned that there is no money whatsoever planned to electrify the Melton / Bacchus Marsh line, including planning ahead for electrification, during the current budget period - that is, they can't even start planning before 2013."

"I'm worried that we have these big announcements, like they did for years on South Morang station, but the reality is that the money simply isn't allocated so the announcements are just smoke and mirrors."

"The Treasurer wasn't able to explain the discrepancy, or answer when the money would be spent to make the work happen."

"Public transport is one of the most vital concerns in the West.  It's a human rights issue, because the west is so badly serviced compared to other parts of Melbourne.  Last year I released a report that shows the lack of decent public transport in Caroline Springs creates disadvantage.*  It's also a global warming issue, because we need to get people out of their cars, and we can't do that without a decent public transport system."

"A report commissioned by the government shows electrification of the Melton / Bacchus Marsh line is economically viable.  I got the report under Freedom of Information and released it to the public.  The report shows that it's cheaper in long run to electrify the line and run a decent suburban service than to keep running a diesel V/Line service."*

For comment: Colleen Hartland - 9689 6373

* Reports available on http://mps.vic.greens.org.au/electrifymeltonline