Grim battle for survival

By Bridget Brady
EXPENSIVE food, poor public transport and car dependency is leading to a poor standard of living for Cranbourne residents.
So says housing support service WAYSS which also reports that people in financial difficulty face an uphill battle just to survive.
The organisation’s general manager for housing programs, Jen Kelly, said the situation is unlikely to change unless there is more spending on infrastructure as the suburb’s population grows.
“In Dandenong there is great infrastructure and public transport to get to the markets but in Cranbourne it’s different,” Ms Kelly said.
“By comparison it is much tougher in Cranbourne.”
Ms Kelly said residents were also disadvantaged by not having the option of markets or cheaper food in the retail centre and had to settle for chain supermarkets.
“It’s not too far to the markets in Dandenong but actually getting there does not fit in to some people’s brains.”
She said most people needed a car to live in Cranbourne.
“You need a car to get to the train station in Cranbourne and people who live in estates would need one to access the town centre.
“I think everyone is just hoping that it’s going to be OK.
“Everyone has been hit by this world-wide phenomenon but we still have our own issues locally.”
The number of rental properties was limited in Cranbourne, which contributed to the woes of some in the area, Ms Kelly said.
“Those who are feeling a bit vulnerable are being told they can’t be a tenant. It’s pretty discouraging out there.”
A government spokesperson said the State Government recognised the rapid growth in Cranbourne and had reviewed bus services and other transport projects to improve services in the town.
A new train station to be built at Cranbourne East was announced in the State Government’s transport plan last year.