Cr Andrew McEwen the Chair of South West Gippsland Transport Group has launched an e-petition for the legislative council for South Gippsland to improve South Gippsland bus services. This is an opportunity to improve transport accessibility for young people, older people and people without a car. Both Danny O'Brien MP and Hon Melina Bath have agreed to support and sponsor the petition. Grievance — The Petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council to the absence of local public bus services for South Gippsland and the paucity of other bus services. Action — The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the government to allocate equitable funding for the provision of local bus services or a Telebus service for South Gippsland in particular for the towns of Leongatha and Korumburra and for improvement in the inadequate cross regional and Melbourne services. The petitions will be open until Friday, 2 February 2018 to be tabled on the first sitting day of 2018; Cr McEwen said “the report prepared by the group identified a systematic under resourcing of bus services for South Gippsland. South Gippsland has no local bus services unlike most shires of similar population. Leongatha and Korumburra are in reality in close proximity with a population approaching 10,000 people. - There are 18 towns with smaller populations who have local bus services - 72% of people in South Gippsland have poor access to services such as hospitals, health centres, courts, Tafe/Uni, Centrelink, Centrelink Agencies and pharmacies. - Some 20,000 people do not have ready access to important services, which others take for granted. - South Gippsland is significantly disadvantaged in terms of ready access to public transport with only 8.5% having a bus stop within 800m from home versus 35% for Gippsland councils or the State average of 74%. Cr Andrew McEwen said that in summary the findings of this report are as follows: 1. South Gippsland has minimal bus services to Melbourne in comparison to other regional areas 2. Has an extremely poor local bus service in comparison to other regional areas. 3. Has poor cross regional services to La Trobe Valley 4. South Gippsland does not have any local bus services with the exception of the trunk route to Melbourne and the cross regional services through Leongatha, Mirboo and to Traralgon. The State government’s recent report on the CONNECTING REGIONAL VICTORIA VICTORIA’S REGIONAL NETWORK DEVELOPMENT PLAN launch by Minister Jacinta Allan states: We know that public transport is important to our regional communities because we both grew up relying on it to access education, recreation, jobs and services” “The plan aims to: • deliver a better public transport network across regional Victoria, with new connections, more trains, better stations and improved bus and coach services • develop tailored public transport priorities and actions for each region that respond to changing local travel needs and support local infrastructure and services plans” Cr McEwen said that “these policies are been honoured in their breach for South Gippsland. We are looking for a fair share and a fair go for South Gippsland.” You all can help by spending 5 minutes liking our Facebook page and signing the e-petition. The link can be found from our web site or Facebook page to the Legislative Council e-petitions. Facebook: Victorian Government: Return The Leongatha Pass/South Gippsland Train South and West Gippsland Transport Group Website: http://www.swgt.org.au/ We will be writing to key local, organisations to support the e-petition and to local members to support and promote the petition. We are already receiving support from health agencies where people have difficulties accessing services. This is an opportunity to improve transport accessibility for young people, older people and people without a car. Andrew McEwen urged people to get on board and make their voice heard for fairness and equity. Andrew McEwen Chair South West Gippsland Transport Group O488242478 SIGN HERE! E-petition to the Legislative Council - South Gippsland Bus Services: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/petitions/electronic-petitions/view-e-petitions/details/12/53