This evening I attended the first Eastern Region Integrated Transport Group (ERITG) meeting for 2006 as a councillor for Maroondah City Council.

The Eastern Region Integrated Transport Group is a collective of seven eastern metropolitan councils (Manningham, Maroondah, Yarra Ranges, Knox, Greater Dandenong, Monash and Whitehorse) which seeks to advocate for sustainable and integrated transport services in the eastern region of Melbourne through a focus on the travel needs of the community.

Cr. Mick Van De Vreede of Knox City Council has been appointed the chair of ERITG. Cr. Van De Vreede is a renowned advocate for sustainable transport and will provide a wealth of knowledge and experience in this role. With the expected release of the State Government’s Transport and Liveability Statement in April, regional bodies such as ERITG will be crucial in ensuring that the eastern suburbs of Melbourne receive much needed public transport improvements.