Meeting Top Hotel Korumburra Thursday 15th of September 2016 Meeting Commenced 7.05pm Present Andrew McEwen David Rasmus John Saynor Andrew McEwen Simon Helps Chris Cantlon Maryanne van Ballekom Shirley Cowling Robert Eames Brian Hess Ben Corcoran Brett Levenspiel Apologies Tavis Longmuir Max Semken Peter Hinksman General Business New Electronic Transport Technologies: Simon Helps a consultant to the renewable industry made a presentation on the likely impact of new electronic technologies on public transport. He explained that disruptive technologies were in the process of changing technologies in public transport. Europe has seen the emergence of electronic buses and trains using a variety of battery technologies, overhead recharging and conversion of braking and speed energies into battery charging like hybrids cars. The train technologies are utilising Telsa like batteries in arrays of 100 batteries in a carriage with two passenger carriages before and aft. These technologies are dramatically reducing operating cost and are allow better designed buses and carriages. Operating costs are being reduced by upwards of 60-80%. Such passenger trains could be utilised on a returned rail to Leongatha. ATC has started the conversion of the public transport system to electronic buses. The new electric trains will progressively replace diesel trains for passenger traffic and will have a dramatic impact on operating costs and public subsidies. ACTION - That Simon prepares some material for a press release on the impact of new transport technologies for the local papers Rail Tram and Bus Union Deputation: Chris and Andrew reported on the discussions with Amadeo D’Aprano in August. The discussions were very fruitful. He indicated the union would strongly support our group in its endeavours. He was impressed with the action to date. He indicated however that we will require council support if we are to progress the matter. He said that after the council election if council supports the initiative they will use all their media and political contacts to advance the cause. It is critical that council support the initiative with moneys for an integrated transport plan before we seek government commitment. He said he also chairs the Labor Parties Public Transport Committee and would be happy for our group to make a presentation to it latter in the years. ACTION - That the report be noted Facebook: Bret and Chris reported on the current stays of the two Facebook pages. Currently there are 400+ on SWTG Facebook page and 1950 on the other. Combined there are about 2350 reach. Chris reported that he is putting 3 or more posts a week. The town sites are cross linked and anything that now goes up goes up on both. Some 60% of his site members are locals. Chris said that some of the locals are pessimistic on his site because of the twice failure to materialise the train. He indicated that there was strong and growing support for another petition. FACEBOOK: 'Victorian Government: Return the Leongatha Pass/South Gippsland Train' 'South and West Gippsland Transport Group' ACTION - That Chris continues to make regular posts and that we consider a new petition to drive reach after the local council elections Council Election Candidates Survey: The need to survey all candidates was discussed in detail. It is essential that council both support the return of the rail and an integrated transport plan as a key priority and is prepared to allocate funds for the completion of the plan ($30-40k). It would involve Bass Coast, Casey, Cardinia and potentially Baw Baw. ACTION - It was resolved that a survey be prepared and sent to all candidates explaining he economic benefit of a return of the rail and giving them a deadline to return survey which will be issued in the form of a press release Resignation of Chair: Andrew McEwen resigned as Chair in light of his candidature for council elections in October. Max Semken has indicated that he is also on leave from the group for personal reasons for a few months. ACTION - David Rasmus was elected as Acting Chair and Chris Cantlon as Deputy Chair Council Presentation: ACTION - It was resolved that a council presentation be made at the public presentation session on Wednesday the 16th of November to argue for the return of the rail as a key priority and funding for an integrated transport plan. Korumburra Community Plan and Survey on the Burra Flyer: Concern was expressed that the Korumburra Roundtable had not identified the return of t he rail on its draft priorities. Brian explained that the priorities were selected by community members not the group and suggested that people vote and add in the return of the rail as a key priority. ACTION - Chris will make a post on the Facebook pages. Next meeting Top Hotel Korumburra Thursday 10th of November 2016 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”.