By Bonny Burrows
Calls for an extended rail line from Cranbourne to Kooweerup are gathering pace as the Kooweerup airport becomes a very real possibility.
A community petition for an extended rail line between the two towns has obtained more than 1000 supporters since its creation three months ago, with locals backing creator David Dobson’s plans for a Cranbourne train line loop to free up busy roads and reduce isolation in rural areas.
It follows the announcement an overseas investor has pledged to fund the $5 billion south east airport in Kooweerup.
Under Mr Dobson’s proposal, the Cranbourne/Pakenham line would extend to include Kooweerup, Tooradin, Wonthaggi and Leongatha through the use of existing unused lines and the creation of new tracks.
The Clyde North man said such rail loop would “help so much” if the international airport came to fruition.
If green-lighted, the Kooweerup airport would rival Tullamarine in size, servicing up to 5 million domestic passenger movements annually.
“We’ve seen how Tullamarine is – the traffic to the airport is hectic. So let’s be proactive about it and get ready (for a local airport) with safer alternatives,” Mr Dobson said.
“And then when/if the airport happens, there will already be a fully functioning train line to and from the city.”
Even if the airport was “some way into the future – if at all”, Mr Dobson said the need for a rail extension was still there, and wasn’t going away.
“There isn’t much public transport out there, in the Tooradin, Kooweerup, and Wonthaggi areas,” Mr Dobson said.
“And I know a lot of people who have disadvantages and are unable to find work, who are either travelling long distances for work on our roads, leading to gridlocked roads, or are isolated,” Mr Dobson said.
“A Paky-Cranbourne loop would free up a lot of high traffic and move a lot of people quicker to their destinations, and the elderly who prefer to catch the train into the city for appointments rather than drive could do so.”
While the petition has yet to be formally presented to local councils, it has been discussed “positively” with Greater Dandenong.
The City of Casey has previously indicated its support for an improved rail network.
Mayor Sam Aziz told Star News on 4 July road infrastructure, including a better rail network, was the “missing piece” of the airport’s puzzle.
An airport couldn’t be supported with current infrastructure, councillor Aziz said.
Cardinia Shire has also in the past hinted at the importance of rail upgrades if a south east airport were to exist.
Mr Dobson said he was meeting with government representatives in the coming weeks.
The petition can be found at: www.change.org/p/david-hodgett-cranbourne-pakenham-loop-train-line-extension-including-koo-wee-rup-phillip-island
