With the state election only a couple of weeks away, attention is well and truly on the needs of each community.
Here in Melbourne’s west, we have been ignored by successive governments for far too long.
The population in Hobsons Bay and beyond is booming, and we are being left behind by the infrastructure that connects us to the city and surrounds.
Public transport, and particularly rail, is a significant problem for our community.
Trying to get a train from Laverton, Altona or Newport to head into the city to get to work is becoming an increasing problem.
We need a solution, and we need it now.
That’s why we are advocating for the WEST East Metro Rail Plan, devised by industry think-tank Rail Futures Institute to address our overcrowded, delayed and cancelled trains.
This plan would connect the west to the CBD through a tunnel under the Yarra River, providing direct access to Flagstaff and Southern Cross stations.
It would provide a new station at South Kingsville, servicing the 8000 Precinct 15 new residents; as well as reinstating the old Paisley Station in Altona North.
And a new underground station would be built at Spotswood that connects to all existing networks, including to Sunshine, allowing people to get a train to the airport without having to go to the city.
WEST East Metro Rail is estimated to cost about $32 billion, which is about a third of the cost of the Suburban Rail Loop – a plan that does nothing to solve our transport issues in the west.
This plan would make life so much easier for our community.
I urge you to consider signing up to support our push for this missing piece of our public transport network at westeastmetrorail.com.au.
On a personal note, I’d like to say what a privilege it has been to serve as mayor of Hobsons Bay again over the past 12 months.
It is the third term I’ve served as mayor and it is always such an honour to represent our community.
Over the past year, it has been inspiring to watch how strongly our community has rebounded and I’m proud of the work the council has delivered over this time.
Thank you all for the resilience and support you have shown, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to shape our city.
