The Andrews Labor Government has announced the terms of reference for its ground-breaking Regional Network Development Plan, which will provide Victoria’s first ever short, medium and long-term strategy for better regional public transport.
Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, today also announced the make up of the Regional Transport Advisory Group that will drive consultation with local communities and provide recommendations to Government throughout the development of the Plan.
As announced last month, the Group with be co-Chaired by Northern Victorian MP, Jaclyn Symes and Gippsland Regional Development Committee Chair, Richard Elkington.
Joining the co-Chairs on the Group will be representatives from all over Victoria:
- Jo Bourke, Executive Director, Wimmera Development Association
- Bruce Anson, CEO, Warrnambool City Council
- Janet Dore, CEO, Transport Accident Commission
- Trevor Budge, Manager of Strategy, City of Greater Bendigo
- Patience Harrington, Chief Executive, City of Wodonga
- David McKenzie, Chair, Committee for Greater Shepparton
- Judy Verlin AM, Chair, Committee for Ballarat
The Regional Network Development Plan will move Victoria away from ad hoc service improvements, towards a more coordinated regional public transport network where train and bus services work together to get people where they need to go quicker and safer.
The plan will also consider infrastructure upgrades, network extensions and rolling stock, including next generation high capacity regional trains to cater for peak demand.
Consultation will start on 23 June with stakeholder workshops in Gippsland and continue across regional Victoria in the coming months.
More information and access to the online forums will be available at ptv.vic.gov.au/getinvolved in the coming weeks.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan
“The Regional Network Development Plan will provide a long-term strategy for better train and bus services in regional Victoria, to get people home quicker and safer.”
“Now we have the Terms of Reference and the membership of the advisory group finalised, we can get out and speak to regional Victorians about what they want out of public transport in their area.”
“The Andrews Labor Government is listening to the community and investing in better public transport for passengers now and well into the future – that’s what this Plan is all about.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020