Casey Council has welcomed a commitment by the Andrews Government to duplicate the rail track between Dandenong and Cranbourne and plan for a new rail link to Clyde if re-elected in November.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Geoff Ablett said he was pleased to see progress being made on the extension of Cranbourne rail to Clyde in response to the Commit to Casey community campaign.
“The ‘Commit to Casey’ community advocacy campaign has made significant progress in making the case for the Clyde rail extension, which had seemed lost on Spring St for too long,” he said.
“The Government’s $750 million commitment draws us closer to delivering non-partisan support for building much needed and deserved rail infrastructure to Clyde, connecting residents to jobs, schools and services.”
Cr Ablett praised the community and fellow councillors for their strong support of the campaign, noting their persistence is paying off.
“Casey residents have not forgotten about the many promises made by past politicians to extend Cranbourne Rail and fix our roads. Residents ought to be commended on their persistent campaigning.”
Cr Ablett said with the Government’s announcement all sides of politics ought to be held accountable for their promises.
“While we are pleased with commitments from Labor, Liberal and the Greens, promises to extend Cranbourne Rail line have come and gone from major parties in the past, so this time the campaign isn’t over until we see the rail line built.”
As part of Council’s commitment to building a community campaign that holds politicians accountable, City of Casey hosted MTF Leader Newspapers Transport Forum, where Members of Parliament from Labor, Liberal and the Greens fielded questions about their election commitments.
Residents raised several concerns primarily around the following themes:
• Development and growth outstripping delivery of services and infrastructure
• Firm commitments to the early delivery of the Cranbourne Rail duplication and extension to Clyde
• Major review of bus services across City of Casey
• Urgent upgrade of arterial roads across Casey to reduce congestion
