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Pressure Mounts On Tehan To Back Regional Rail Revival

01 May 2017

Pressure is mounting on Dan Tehan and the Turnbull Government to back major rail upgrades for the Warrnambool line announced yesterday by the Andrews Labor Government.

Yesterday, the Labor Government announced a $1.45 billion Regional Rail Revival package, which will deliver better train services across regional Victoria, and create more than 1,000 jobs.

The package includes a $100 million upgrade of the Warrnambool line, which will build a new crossing loop near Boorcan, upgrade signalling, and install lights, bells and boom gates at passive crossings along the line.

The upgrade will also install new train detection devices at active crossings already protected by boom gates, boosting safety.

These works will enable V/Line to run five return services every day, and pave the way for VLocity trains to run on the Warrnambool line for the very first time.

These projects are funded and ready to go, as soon as Victoria receives the $1.46 billion it’s owed under the agreement with the Federal Government on Asset Recycling.

This is not the Turnbull Government’s money – it is money owed to Victoria for Victorian projects.

Councils and other groups have thrown their support behind the Regional Rail Revival package and Member for Wannon Dan Tehan has been campaigning for better services. Yet Malcolm Turnbull continues to deny Victoria the money that would deliver these improvements for his community.

With regional Victoria growing and patronage on the V/Line network at record highs, it’s time for the Turnbull Government to stop dithering, keep his promises and give Victoria its money.

Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Public Transport Ros Spence

“This is our money and we will spend it on better rail for Warrnambool.”

“Dan Tehan needs to start sticking up for local passengers, who are getting dudded by his Government.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney

“The Turnbull Government hasn’t invested a single cent in building better public transport for Warrnambool or anywhere in Victoria.”

“It’s time for Dan Tehan and the Turnbull Government to give us our money, so we can get on with our Regional Rail Revival.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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