People across south west Victoria will next week get their chance to contribute to Victoria’s first long term strategy for better train and coach services, with Regional Network Development Plan (RNDP) consultation sessions in Warrnambool, Colac, Geelong and Torquay.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP said the community workshops were a critical part of developing a comprehensive plan for better public transport in Geelong and the Barwon South West region and encouraged everyone interested to come along and have their say.
Next week’s community forums include:
- Warrnambool: 5pm-7pm, Tues 8 September, Lighthouse Theatre, 185 Timor St.
- Colac: 5pm-7pm, Wed 9 September, Colac Community Library and Learning Centre, 173 Queen St.
- Geelong: 7pm-9pm, Thurs 10 September, Geelong West Town Hall, 153 Pakington St.
- Torquay: 10.30am-12.30pm, Fri 11 September, Surf Coast Hotel & Conference Centre, 100 The Esplanade.
The invaluable community input gathered through these forums will feed into the
development of the RNDP, which will move Victoria away from ad hoc service improvements, towards a more coordinated regional public transport network where train and bus services work together to get people where they need to go.
The plan will also consider infrastructure upgrades, network extensions and rolling stock, including next-generation regional trains to cater for growing demand.
Community sessions have already been held in Gippsland, the Grampians, Hume regions and Loddon Mallee Regions. They have been hugely successful, with more than a thousand people attending sessions and contributing to the online discussion forums.
For more information about the RNDP consultation process and how to contribute to the future of public transport in regional Victoria, visit ptv.vic.gov.au/get-involved.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP
“The Regional Network Development plan will be the foundation for better public transport for communities in Barwon South West and across regional Victoria.”
“I encourage anyone with an interest in the long-term future of train and coach services in South Western Victoria to come along to one of the community workshops and have their say.”
“The lack of a long-term strategy for public transport has been holding regional Victoria back for too long – which is why the Andrews Labor Government is developing one, in close consultation with passengers and local communities.”
“The Andrews Labor Government is investing in better public transport to get people in Geelong, Barwon South West and across regional Victoria home safer and sooner.”