Re: [vic]Leongatha rail service review (gov annncmnt)

["Brian Evans (IOM)" <bevans@omni.com.au>]

Well done Mr. Batchelor!

A great outcome steming from a VERY unpopular decision to close the line.
The only real pitty was the vandalism by the Kennett government of the track
past leongatha that was lifted and sent to the scrap heap.

Regards,
Brian


andrei <andrei@ausisp.com> wrote in message
8cjfr6$194v$1@news1.wire.net.au">news:8cjfr6$194v$1@news1.wire.net.au...
> found this press release on the government web site:
>
http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/web_notes/newmedia.nsf/366feaa87308bebf4a25
> 6811007f839b/c0971dcfa93888194a2568b80013a27a?OpenDocument
>
> media release
> FROM THE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT
>
> DATE: Tuesday, April 4, 2000
>
>
> LEONGATHA RAIL SERVICE REVIEW ANNOUNCED
>
> The latest plank in the Bracks Government's Linking Victoria program has
> commenced with the establishment of a Community Reference Group to help
> review the options for returning rail services between Leongatha and
> Melbourne.
>
> The Minister for Transport, Mr Peter Batchelor, said the Government was
> meeting its commitment to the people of Gippsland to review the Kennett
> Government's closure of the Leongatha passenger rail service in 1993.
>
> "The Leongatha Rail Review will assess the performance of coach services
> that have replaced the passenger trains. It will also investigate the
impact
> on the local economy and the commercial feasibility of returning a
passenger
> service on the line," said Mr Batchelor.
>
> "The review will also consider the future of rail freight services and
> tourist trains on the Leongatha line."
>
> Mr Batchelor has sent letters to the Member for Gippsland West, Ms Susan
> Davies, and the South Gippsland Shire Council inviting them to take part
in
> the Community Reference Group that will also include representatives from
> the Department of Infrastructure and the Department of State and Regional
> Development.
>
> Rail operators, Freight Australia and National Express, as well as local
> community interest groups will also be consulted as part of the review.
>
> "The Government is currently in discussions with the South Gippsland Shire
> Council about a possible freight terminal in the area and I have invited
the
> council to provide details of any other industry groups that may also be
> interested in taking part in the rail review," said Mr Batchelor.
>
> Leongatha is one of five country rail services closed by the Kennett
> Government that are now being reviewed. The other services are on the
> Mildura, Ararat, Bairnsdale and Cobram lines.
>
> "The Bracks Government wants to strengthen the ties between Melbourne and
> regional Victoria and generate new opportunities for the growth and
> development of the State's regional and rural areas," said Mr Batchelor.
>
> "Through Linking Victoria, the Government plans to work with the private
> sector to invest more than $1.5billion in the State's roads, rail and
ports
> over the next four years."
>
> "The potential reopening of the Leongatha rail line for freight would open
> new opportunities for transporting products from the region's building
> sands, horticultural and timber industries."
>
> Mr Batchelor praised local MP Susan Davies for her work in campaigning for
a
> return of rail services to this important region of Victoria.
>
> He said the Kennett Government had failed to understand the importance of
> high quality transport services to regional communities.
>
> "The Leongatha Rail Review will include consideration of tourism
initiatives
> such as the running of steam trains on the line," said Mr Batchelor.
>
> A report on the Leongatha Rail Review is expected to be presented to the
> Government by July 2000.
>
>
>
>
>
>