Tag: minister
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Eastern Transport Coalition May 2007 Meeting
The Eastern Transport Coalition’s campaign for federal involvement in urban transport infrastructure is continuing with an invitation being extended to MPs and Candidates to discuss these needs. There is a need for the Federal Government to formally respond to the 2004 Sustainable Cities Inquiry, which cited a number of concerns in regard to Australia’s urban…
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2007/08 State Budget interview with ABC 774
This morning I was discussing the State Budget with Red Symons on ABC 774. From a public transport perspective the state budget was an improvement over previous budgets. The purchase of ten additional six carriage trains was a measure the PTUA was calling for and it is pleasing that this will proceed. The additional trains,…
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MX: Kosky defends buyback
According the MX, the State Government has been forced to repurchase the old Hitachi trains due to dire shortage of train rollingstock. Buying back second-hand “sweatbox” carriages at more than seven times their sale price was good value for Victorian taxpayers, Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said today. Defending the State Government’s purchase of two Hitachi…
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Maroondah Leader: no promise on track
Despite Ringwood’s status as a Transit City and support from both the community and Maroondah Council to transform Ringwood into a vibrant urban community, the State Government has continued to drag its feet in providing the funding necessary for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station. Maroondah councillor Alex Makin said the Government should “put its money…
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Herald-Sun: Petrol price hike tipped
Amid a forecast of rising petrol prices the Public Transport Users Association released its pre-budget submission calling on the State Government to dramatically improve public transport. The Herald-Sun has reported on this pre-budget submission: The Public Transport Users Association said the latest price hike increased the need for a major boost to public transport in…
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Launch of Ringwood Going Places
The Minister for Planning, Justin Madden, was in Ringwood today to launch the branding of Ringwood Going Places. The pieces to rejuvenate Ringwood are coming together such as the passing of the precinct plans for the redevelopment of the Town Centre. One significant piece that remains unresolved is Ringwood Station. The redevelopment of the station…
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The Age: A Dad's Army of shunted carriages called up in crisis
In an example of the lack of foresight typical of the former Minister for Transport, Peter Batchelor, The Age has revealed that the State Government has been forced to hire back the non air-conditioned Hitachi trains due to a shortage of rollingstock. The rollingstock shortage has been further compounded due to the withdrawal of 31…
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The Age: Fare freeze gets cold reception
The State Government has announced a freeze on Melbourne’s public transport fares to deflect rising criticism over the latest spate of cancellations on Melbourne’s rail network. Premier Steve Bracks this morning announced the decision by the State Government to freeze the price increases, which were due on March 4. The freeze in public transport fares…
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ABC 774: Discussing Melbourne rail woes
This evening I was invited to discuss the discuss the ongoing dramas and inconvenience suffered by Melbourne’s rail passengers on ABC’s Radio 774. The interview, which included a number of talkback callers, focused on the endless excuses used by Connex to defend its ever diminishing performance in operating Mekbourne’s rail network. While it is correct…
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Media Release: Successful project a hopeful sign of things to come
While the Middleborough Road grade separation has definitely had its share of teething problems, the fact that the project will be completed two weeks early, marking what will hopefully be an end to era of projects being delivered over time and over budget. While the early completion of the project is a positive outcome, the…