Meeting Commenced: 7:10pm Confirmation of Minutes The minutes of the previous meeting were endorsed General Business Briefing on issues • Public Transport Users Association: Max Semken tabled a copy of article in the PTUA newsletter of council’s support for the line. • Max Semken said that he had been in discussions with the Rail Tram and Bus Union and they had indicated that they would provide advocacy for business plan and assistance with media. • The Victorian Transport Action Group (expert voluntary group) suggested arguing for two lines. • Max Semken suggested arguing for an extension line to Stony Creek once Leongatha is returned as the race course has a proposed multipurpose venue, which would greatly increase activity. • It was indicated that although the line beyond Leongatha is now a rail trail, it is still under state government ownership and the corridor from Agnes (formerly Barry Beach Junction) to the Barry Beach Marine Terminal is still reserved. • There was a discussion about the freight formerly used on the line and how this impacted upon the ageing infrastructure such as the track and many timber trestle bridges. Until 1992, it had been reported in several rail magazine articles such as Newsrail that 52,000 tonnes of superphosphate had been transported from Geelong to Korumburra/Leongatha and beyond to predominantly Buffalo and occasionally Fish Creek per annum. Additionally, diesel/oil supply trains to the Barry Beach Marine Terminal were reported to be 50 million litres per annum. This meant that freight trains as they were weekly services conveyed masses between 1,000-1,500 tonnes on average depending on whether they were mixed goods trains or separately operated. • Conformation from former South Gippsland Tourist Railway Volunteers and Track Management that the Nyora to Korumburra and Leongatha track will stay intact, pending future plans. • Chris Buckingham the Labor McMillan candidate has expressed interest in supporting the return of the rail to South Gippsland. • Cr. Andrew McEwen reported that he had discussion with Minister Lily D'Ambrosio. She was very interested in the potential for a rail loop between Pakenham and Cranbourne and is ability to provide rail access for 400,000 people. • Cr. Andrew McEwen reported that John Anthony from Port Anthony was talking to China Rail about potential to restore rail for mineral sands and biofertilizers. • There was a discussion about concerns for employment losses in the Latrobe Valley due to the pending closure of power stations and possible part or whole of Nippon paper is focusing government attention on what opportunities there are for development. Amendments to document & Suggestions Costings • Updating of oil/fuel prices and future estimates. • Need more specific and independent figures for rail loop and for portion to Lang Lang, and to Leongatha. • Costings for reconstruction of South Gippsland Highway, reportedly to be 300-400 million dollars and annual maintenance costs. • Congestions costs for Melbourne (Infrastructure Australia). Issues paper and the Arguments • Draft paper for Integrated Transport Plan has been completed by Brett Levenspiel. • Costs savings on maintenance: Railway costs compared to the Arterial Roads and Highways linking Melbourne and South Gippsland. Rail recurring capital and operational costs could between 2-3 million dollars per annum. • Patronage on train alone was 128,000 per annum until July 1993 with 71% travelling beyond Cranbourne while the bus figures haven’t been updated for 10 years. Last statistics indicated buses carried approximately 60,000 per annum. • Previous rail feasibility study asked questions in surveys without providing much details as to what services would be available if rail was returned (3 returned passenger rail services was proposed and the scheduling was uncertain). There was also close to 2.5 million tonnes of freight transported between Melbourne and South Gippsland identified. • Problems with road, highway and freeway congestion, punctuality and problem of reliability. Reintroduced rail services could provide more user friendly environment for commuters and allow them to be more productive during their commute. • Future population of Cranbourne and Pakenham and decentralisation of Melbourne. • Cranbourne and Pakenham Rail Loop: A South Eastern Suburban/Regional Rail Link like the Tarneit/Wyndham Vale line connecting regional rail lines such as Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo. • Alleviating congestion and adding capacity along the Caulfield to Dandenong rail line is critical. Facebook and Web site • Recommence a second launch of the South & West Gippsland Transport Group Website. • Facebook has close to 1600 followers and a reach of up to 5000 people. Strategy When paper is complete approach the following: Federal election: Gaining a commitment from candidates and promoting responses Chris Buckingham (Labor) Russel Broadbent (Current Sitting Member Liberal) Dana Lancaster (Greens) Approaching local members and ministers Bryan Paynter Harriet Shing Danny O’Brian Fiona McKenzie Ministers Jacinta Allen Minister for Public Transport Jaana Pulford Minister for Regional Development Minister Lily D'Ambrosio Minister for Energy and Resources Luke Donnellan Minister for Roads and Road Safety Community organizations Casey Residents & Ratepayers Association. Max Semken to follow up Cardinia Shire contacts. Councils Survey of candidates for election in October. Next Meeting: April 26th 7-9pm Austral Hotel Korumburra upstairs. Meeting Finished 8:43pm