MEDIA RELEASE: SOUTH & WEST GIPPSLAND TRANSPORT GROUP MINUTES FOR THE MEETING (24/11/2015) AT THE AUSTRAL HOTEL KORUMBURRA Meeting Commenced 7.10 pm Confirmation of Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were endorsed. General Business Petition: The petition for the return of the rail has been now signed by close to 1800 people. Resolved to lodge the petition through Danny O'Brien in the state parliament and at council through Cr. Andrew McEwen and that a press release be prepared to accompany It. Meeting with Agricultural & Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford, who will be visiting South Gippsland in the next few weeks. Resolved that Max Semken to organise a meeting with the agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford Regional Network Development Plan: The Regional Network Development Plan is due to be released shortly. Two workshops were organised through the South & West Gippsland Transport Group in Leongatha during July and October. Resolved to wait the report and then to present a submission to the Report practically proposing a Southern Gippsland ring route between the towns with a map and press release for papers. Monash freeway $400m expansion plans: There was a long discussion regarding the proposed expansion of the Monash Freeway between Eastlink and Pakenham bBypass. Major concerns were expressed about the fact that while it was necessary, it would not provide a long term solution. There was little long term thinking or value for money. OH&S would require the closure of one lane of the South Gippsland Highway for three years and will create chaos. Ultimately the neck of the funnel limits capacity for through put. The growth of Casey and Cardinia (6-7000 households p.a) will overwhelm the new capacity of 2000 per hour. The London School of Economic has debunked most traffic models arguing that demand for freeways always goes to 120% of estimate and ends up in further gridlock. The solution must be to prove more rail capacity for people and freight to get it off the Monash. The proposal is a symptom of short term thinking that has failed to address integrated transport needs. The proposed airport at Monomeith was seen as a potential impetus but we are unsure of its status and timing. Resolved: That we continue to pursue an integrated transport plan for South & West Gippsland from Bass Coast to Baw Baw as the basis for argument to loop the rail from Cardinia (Monomeith) to Pakenham (to provide aces to rail service within 10m of 500,000 people) and then to extend and return the rail to Leongatha along the original alignment from Cranbourne and Nyora. Bret Levenspiel and Andrew McEwen will prepare a short document as the basis for arguing the case for an Integrated Transport plan for South West Gippsland. Join Public Transport Users Association: Resolved that Max Semken organise our group to become a member of Pubic Transport Users Association and that we pass the hat around for the membership fee at the next meeting. Overall Strategy: It was resolved that the followings strategies be perused to get an integrated transport plan. Chris Cantlon and Bret Levenspiel resolve the issues of the website functionality and the relationship to the Facebook site. Chris Cantlon and Bret Levenspiel will also work to integrate the Change.org 1800 supporters list with the Facebook audience of approximately 1400 and to use media to grow the size of the social media and Facebook reach. That we explore supporting the integrated transport plan on South Gippsland Shire Council's OurSay Budget consultation. Bret Levenspiel to draft a proposal for the integrated transport plan and to circulate to members for comment. That Simon Helps canvasses approaching industry to support/fund integrated transport plan. Andrew McEwen, Max Semken and Brian Hess to meet with all political parties to seek their support for an integrated transport plan. And any objections or further information required. These include: Victorian Transport Action Group (Retired experts) Liaison with Unions: Rail Tram and Bus Union Public Transport Committee Public Transport Users Association President Tony Morton & Rural Victorian Convener Paul Westcott Ballarat Public Transport Group Gippsland South Member of Parliament Danny O'Brien Shire of Wellington Darren McGovern Letter to Harriet Singh Labor Upper House Federal Labor Candidate for McMillan Chris Buckingham Federal Greens Candidate McMillan Donna Lancaster Victorian Greens Leader Greg Barbour & Greens Member for Melbourne Ellen Sandell (family ties to Leongatha). Next meeting: Tuesday the 15th December, 7pm-9pm at the Austral Hotel, 34 Bridge St, Korumburra VIC 3950 upstairs. Meeting Closed 8.55 pm Message sent on behalf of the South & West Gippsland Transport Group. “The South & West Gippsland Transport Group aims to improve public transport. It is advocating the return of rail services to Leongatha, to establish a rail loop between Cranbourne and Pakenham and to improve bus services between towns and Melbourne”.