Hobsons Bay council is continuing its push for a commitment to a western region rail connection from all sides of politics as the state election nears.
Council is letterboxing the community on the benefits of the WEST East Metro Rail Plan, which will provide an essential rail connection to help residents in Melbourne’s western suburbs commute to the CBD and beyond.
Hobsons Bay mayor Peter Hemphill, other councillors and a number of state election candidates will attend Better West and Friends of the Earth’s ‘Transforming Transport in the West’ forum on Wednesday, October 26 from 6pm to 9.30pm at the W&M Couch Pavilion at 1 Creek Street in Spotswood.
“For too long, Melbourne’s west has been ignored by successive governments, but rapid population growth in the west means we can no longer be ignored,” he said.
“One of the major effects of that massive population growth is on public transport, particularly rail.
“Up until now, getting on a train at Laverton, Altona and Newport to head into the CBD during the morning peak hour has been difficult.”
Cr Hemphill said Hobsons Bay council is supporting the plan.
“Rail Futures Institute estimates the cost of WEST East Metro Rail Plan at about $32 billion,” he said.
“That’s about one-third the cost of the state government’s Suburban Rail Loop, which does nothing to solve the transport problems of Melbourne’s west.
“I urge the community to consider signing up to support our push for this missing piece of our public transport network.”
The plan features a new underground station at Spotswood connecting to the existing rail network, the reinstatement of the old Paisley station in Altona North and a new station at South Kingsville that would service the 8000 residents in the new Precinct 15 residential area.
Details: www.eventbrite.com/e/transforming-transport-in-the-west-tickets-423940687007 or www.westeastmetrorail.com.au
