By Jamie Salter
Local residents are launching a petition calling for a Cranbourne to Kooweerup rail extension.
The Restore Rup Rail campaign was established this year to advocate for improved public transport for Kooweerup and neighbouring areas.
The goal of the petition is to gain a promised commitment from a major party to “rebuild the Clyde to Kooweerup rail line with an additional station at Tooradin, to a double track electrified standard with trains running every 15 minutes“.
State Hastings MP Neale Burgess has agreed to sponsor the petition and present it to the Legislative Assembly of Victoria.
Campaign founder Travis Mitchell said the community has had a positive response to the petition so far.
“It’s got to the point now where something’s got to be done so we decided we’d have a real crack at it this year,“ Mr Mitchell said.
“Kudos to Neale for getting on board – we’re really appreciative.
“Beyond Cranbourne nothing has been spent since 1984 and the area has been neglected for so many years.
“When you look at Pakenham East station and all the upgrades along the Bairnsdale Line, they’re getting millions of dollars whereas beyond Cranbourne we’ve had nothing and it’s such a lost opportunity because we’ve got South Gippsland and the Bass Coast.“
There are more than 22,000 residents in Cranbourne which is expected to increase to almost 28,000 by 2041.
The petition can be submitted up until the last parliamentary sitting day on Thursday 15 September.
Mr Mitchell said he believed the rail extension was achievable.
“We’re hoping it will be tabled before the State Election and with the numbers we get, it will have a big impact,“ he said.
“It would be magnificent for straight access to the city – you could do things like go to the MCG and students could go to Monash University.
“It’s also user friendly for people who are disabled.“
Mr Mitchell said the current bus services in the region were unreliable and a “band-aid fix“.
“It’s time for some serious money to be invested into the region,“ he said.
To learn more about the petition visit the Restore Rup Rail Facebook page.
