[VIC]yet more talk, re:country pass. re-opening

[Dimitri Souprounovich <dima@alphalink.com.au>]

Found this while cruising the web -
Andrei Soup.

media release:
http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/web_notes/newmedia.nsf/366feaa87308bebf4a256811007f839b/e41833f1ff2e46144a25689d007c4a17?OpenDocument

FROM THE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT

DATE: Thursday, March 9, 2000 

MINISTER ANNOUNCES MILDURA PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE
REVIEW
The Minister for Transport, Mr Peter Batchelor, today announced that a
Community Reference Group
has been formed to help the Bracks Government investigate options for
re-opening a passenger train
service from Melbourne to Mildura.

Mr Batchelor said the Community Reference Group would provide local
input into the Mildura Passenger
Train Feasibility Study.

"The study will review the performance of coach services that were
introduced following the former
Kennett Government's decision in 1993 to close the Vinelander rail
service to Mildura," said Mr
Batchelor.

"The study will also take into account the impact on regional economies
as well as the commercial
viability of resuming a passenger rail service between Mildura and
Melbourne."

The Member for Mildura, Mr Russell Savage, has been invited to take part
in the Community Reference
Group. 

The Transport Minister has also sent letters to the Mildura Passenger
Train Committee, the Mildura Rural
City Council, and the Shire Councils of Yarriambiack, Buloke and
Northern Grampians asking them to
nominate representatives.

Mr Batchelor said the Government would ensure that other councils along
the Melbourne-Mildura rail
corridor were kept informed of the progress of the study.

The study is part of the Bracks Government's policy commitment to review
the Kennett Government's
closure of five country rail passenger services - the Mildura, Ararat,
Bairnsdale, Leongatha and Cobram
lines.

"The Kennett Government walked away from rural Victoria when it closed
these important rail links for
regional communities," Mr Batchelor said.

"The Bracks Government recognises that regional train services have the
potential to generate significant
economic activity in Victoria's provincial communities and add to the
State's overall economic strength."

"This review of rail line closures is an important element in the
Government's Linking Victoria strategy -
a $1.5 billion program to revitalise the State's roads, rail and ports
over the next four years in partnership
with the private sector.

Mr Batchelor said the Mildura community should be congratulated for
their sustained effort over seven
years in campaigning against the closure of the Vinelander and keeping
this important issue on the agenda.

He said the Mildura Passenger Train Review would be closely coordinated
with the Government's North
West Freight Transport Study, which is investigating the most effective
and efficient means of
transporting goods into and out of the Sunraysia region.

A report on the Mildura Passenger Rail Service Review is expected to be
presented to the Government by
June 2000.