Monster moves

By Tania Martin
A MONSTER petition more than 10 months in the making was presented to the State Government on Thursday last week in a bid to address the south-east’s public transport issues.
More than 13,500 commuters signed the petition calling for action on a number of initiatives including the need for a feasibility study for line duplication on the Belgrave and Lilydale train lines.
Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) chairwoman and Yarra Ranges councillor Samantha Dunn said the eastern suburbs had been neglected by government for too long.
“It’s time this Government looked seriously at providing sustainable transport options right across Melbourne rather than focussing on a few key electorates,” she said.
Cr Dunn said the level of dissatisfaction and frustration around public transport in the Yarra Ranges was continuing to grow.
“Residents are sick of being ignored when it comes to public transport policy,” she said. “They are crying out for a solution, and that’s why council signed up to the ETC in the first place.” Cr Dunn said the petition called on the State Government to address a wide range of gaps in the provision of public transport across seven municipalities including Knox and Yarra Ranges.
She said there was still time for the government to make a commitment to Melbourne’s east.
“This election year provides a perfect opportunity for this government to show that it is listening to the million or so residents east of Warrigal Road who are forced to drive their cars to work because they have few viable alternatives,” she said.