Media Releases – Updated

Improving public transport options for Cobram and Numurkah
Monday, 9 May 2011

Options for improving public transport between Cobram, Numurkah and Shepparton were discussed at a public transport forum in Cobram on Saturday morning, The Nationals Member for Murray Valley, Tim McCurdy, said today.

The forum, led by Shivaan Bardolia of the University of Melbourne, was part of a study into public transport in the region, Mr McCurdy said.

Reinstatement of rail services was just one of the options to be considered, he said. This is the first step in what will be a long process in determining the best way forward for the area.

We need to determine the cost of reinstating the line and this may be reliant on a growth in population.

It was pointed out we need a service people will use. We have an ageing population and it was discussed that by 2030 some 65 percent of the population in this area will be over 65.

As people age, they are less likely to drive to Melbourne and they need access to a high standard, safe, and reliable public transport service.

One of the difficulties with the current coach service, which commences in Griffiths, is that when it arrives in Cobram many of the passengers are asleep and new passengers find it embarrassing to wake people so they can access a seat.

It was claimed that at times passengers are required to stand from Cobram to Shepparton, because the coach is over full.

Elderly people, and those with disabilities, often have difficulty in actually accessing the coach, Mr McCurdy said Concerns were also expressed at the lack of shelter and public toilet facilities at the Cobram Station, which serves as the coach stop..

Shivaan and I would be pleased to hear from any district residents who wish to have input into this study.

Those wishing to participate may contact my electorate office at 15 Murphy Street, Wangaratta 3677, or email me on tim.mccurdy@parliament.vic.gov.au or contact Mr Bardolia on s.bardolia@ugrad.unimelb.edu.au to express their views on this important topic.

Getting the trains back is only one part of the strategy, what we are looking for is better public transport services in the Cobram and Numurkah regions, Mr McCurdy concluded.

Media Enquiries 5721 6155

Source: Media Release

Public Transport Forum for Cobram
Thursday, 28 April 2011

Transport options between Cobram and Shepparton will be the subject of a discussion forum in Cobram on Saturday, May 7 2011, The Nationals Member for Murray Valley, Tim McCurdy, said today.

Regular users of the public transport system are invited to take part in the focus group, to be led by Shivaan Bardolia of the University of Melbourne, as part of a study into public transport in the region, Mr McCurdy said.

Forum participants will be asked:

 What are your perceptions of the existing service?

 What is done well – and what isn’t?

 The reasons for travel and how frequently you use it?

Some of the issues to be considered include road transport, public transport availability, public transport use, and an overview of patronage trends on VLine coach services.

Community members will be asked their views on coach, taxi and other services, and issues relating to service and scheduling gaps.

Arguments in support of reinstating passenger rail services between Cobram and Shepparton, in conjunction with existing coach services, will also be considered.

Representatives of all sections of the community are welcome to take part in this forum, which will run from 9.30am to 10.30am at Cobram, Mr McCurdy said.

Places will be limited to 15 people and refreshments and morning tea will be provided, he said..

People interested in participating are requested to email name and contact details to Mr Bardolia at s.bardolia@ugrad.unimelb.edu.au, or to contact my electorate office, at 15 Murphy Street, Wangaratta, phone 03 5721 615, by Thursday, May 5, Mr McCurdy said.

We will then confirm attendance and provide further details.

This is an important issue for residents of Cobram and district and we are seeking to have a range of views from all sections of the community, he concluded.

Media Enquiries 5721 6155

Source: Media Release

Transport options discussed

This article appeared in this week’s Cobram Courier.

Transport discussed
Wednesday, 11 May 2011

Options for improving public transport between Cobram, Numurkah and Shepparton were discussed at a public transport forum in Cobram at the weekend.

The forum, led by Shivaan Bardolia of the University of Melbourne, was part of a study into public transport in the region.

State Member for Murray Valley Tim McCurdy said reinstatement of rail services was one of the options to be considered.

This is the first step in what will be a long process in determining the best way forward for the area, he said.

We need to determine the cost of reinstating the line and this may be reliant on a growth in population.

It was pointed out we need a service people will use. We have an ageing population and it was discussed that by 2030 some 65 per cent of the population in this area will be over 65.

As people age, they are less likely to drive to Melbourne and they need access to a high standard, safe, and reliable public transport service.

Mr McCurdy said one of the difficulties with the current coach service, which starts in Griffith, is that when it arrives in Cobram many of the passengers are asleep and new passengers find it embarrassing to wake people so they can access a seat.

It was claimed that at times passengers are required to stand from Cobram to Shepparton, because the coach is over full

Elderly people, and those with disabilities, often have difficulty in actually accessing the coach, Mr McCurdy said.

Concerns were also expressed at the lack of shelter and public toilet facilities at the Cobram Station, which serves as the coach stop.

Getting the trains back is only one part of the strategy . . . what we are looking for is better public transport services in the Cobram and Numurkah regions.

To participate in the study phone the electorate office at 15 Murphy St, Wangaratta 3677, or email tim.mccurdy@parliament.vic.gov.au

McCurdy will push on to restore passenger train services

This article featured on page three of this week’s Cobram Courier.

Rail decision angers
Wednesday, 24 November 2010

Parties supporting the restoration of the Shepparton-Cobram railway line have been angered after Cobram missed out on large Labor transport grants.

The $354.6 million in transport funding for Victoria included $135.3 million earmarked to bring 20 new VLoctiy trains online, but none will come to Moira Shire.

Cobram residents Cyril and Nick White said they were outraged with the “blatant dismissal” of the area on the Brumby Government’s part.

The local father and son want to know why other areas are being upgraded while the Cobram line remains quiet.

The Shepparton-Cobram line has had a rough history, being brought back to service by Ken Jasper once before only to be de-commissioned again in 1993.

The Whites have campaigned over the past 24 months to have commercial activity restored to the line to little success so far.

Cyril said that despite their best efforts, they had not been given adequate attention by the Minister for Public Transport, Martin Pakula.

“We’ve got the information to back up our claims, the hard part is trying to get the government to pay us attention when we’re in a very safe seat,” he said.

“We’ve got far-reaching letters of support from throughout Cobram and Numurkah and I’ve spoken to a number of councillors who are all for it.”

Nationals candidate for Murray Valley Tim McCurdy said the issue could not be ignored any longer.

“We’ll definitely be looking to reinstate the line in the future,” Mr McCurdy said.

“So far the government has been able to get away with it by offering buses.

Labor candidate for Murray Valley Lachlan Enshaw could not be reached for comment.

*End of newspaper article*

Victorians go to the polls today to decide who will form government in Victoria for the next four years. Nationals candidate Tim McCurdy has made it a key policy of his to restore passenger train services to Cobram, evident by a local advertisement in this week’s Cobram Courier.

Report: Reinstate Cobram passenger rail line

Recently released is the Hume Strategy for Sustainable Communities, a master plan for the Hume region in North Eastern Victoria that sets out the ground work for building and growing the Hume region for the next 10 years.

It is a detailed document broken down into four sub-documents specific to their particular regions; Upper Hume, Central Hume, Lower Hume and Goulburn Valley, including Campaspe Shire. The document provides detailed analysis of the trends and future needs brought by them in relation to transport, health, education, lifestyle and communications, the infrastructure providing such services and the need for infrastructure investment into the future.

Within the sub-region of Goulburn Valley, the document outlines a ‘key direction’, the need for ‘developing a proficient land transportation (sic) network’. This section outlines the priority strategies of accelerated completion of high importance road projects, delivering important rail infrastructure and future-proofing existing transport routes by providing a high level of service.

A number of ‘sub-regional actions’ are mentioned in detail, in particular, the need to ‘reinstate the passenger rail line from Strathmerton to Cobram including converting the Seymour-Shepparton-Tocumwal rail line to standard gauge’.

The Goulburn Valley Sub-Regional Plan can be downloaded here.

The Hume Strategy is a Victorian Government initiative, designed to steer government decision making processes. It is the second report commissioned by the Victorian Government calling for the reinstatement of passenger rail services to Cobram, the first being the Northern Victoria Regional Transport Strategy, finalised and launched earlier this year.

With two high profile reports commissioned by the Victorian Government now calling for the reinstatement of passenger rail services to Cobram, the Victorian Government needs to demonstrate its commitment, particularly to North Eastern Victoria, by acting on these recommendations and returning passenger rail services to Cobram and Numurkah.

Consideration for passenger rail services to Cobram ‘not shelved’

Jasper raises track concerns
Monday, 19 July 2010

Conflicting information is coming from rail authorities regarding possible hold-ups with the reinstatement of passenger rail services between Melbourne and North East Victoria, The Nationals Member for Murray Valley, Ken Jasper, said today.

The speed with which the rail track standardisation was completed inspired confidence that the service would be reinstated on schedule, before the end of this calendar year, Mr Jasper said.

However, this now appears to be in some doubt, with reports of problems with the track, and delays with signalling, crossings, refurbishment of carriages and other operational logistics. This has been further compounded by damage to the XPT track between Melbourne and Sydney, he added.

I will be contacting the State Government and rail authorities seeking rectification of the problems to ensure reinstatement of passenger rail services to the North East as a matter of urgency.

However, Mr Jasper has welcomed the completion of the Benalla to Oaklands rail freight line, noting upgrade of this important grain freight line had been undertaken in conjunction with the standardisation of the North East passenger rail line.

Looking forward to the reopening of the line, which carries grain from the important grain producing areas around Yarrawonga and Oaklands to the seaboard terminals in Melbourne and Geelong, he said its closure for approximately two years had caused great disruption for growers in the region.

With the reopening of the upgraded freight line, I will be seeking reconsideration of the provision of passenger rail services to Yarrawonga, Mulwala and Oaklands, as was provided in years past, recognising the importance of Yarrawonga-Mulwala as an important tourist destination and the massive development which is now taking place, he said.

It is disappointing however, the standardisation of the line between Seymour and Albury-Wodonga has not yet been completed, preventing the Benalla-Oaklands line from using the new system to Melbourne, Mr Jasper said.

Mr Jasper said reintroduction of passenger rail services from Shepparton through Numurkah and Strathmerton to Cobram should be considered as part of the return of services to North East Victoria, to service the western end of his electorate of Murray Valley.

Indications are the report on the proposed inland rail route from Melbourne via Tocumwal to Brisbane has confirmed consideration of passenger rail services to this area have not been shelved, Mr Jasper concluded.

Media contact: Ken Jasper 03 5721 6155

Source: Media Release

Tim Pallas launches strategy

Transport the topic of talks
Monday, 12 April 2010

On a busy sweep through the Goulburn Valley, Tim Pallas also visited Shepparton to launch the Northern Victoria Regional Transport Strategy. The strategy is a joint project between six councils including the City of Greater Shepparton. Greater Shepparton City Council’s asset development general manager Peter Harriott said the strategy provided transport planning for the region and looked at demands and the existing system.

‘‘It considers the existing transport network, including the current public transport system, the road and rail network, freight task, public transport and aviation,’’ Mr Harriott said.

The blueprint also considers population and demographics, environmental issues, primary production, manufacturing, service industries and visitation including tourism and events. Mayor Geoff Dobson said the strategy would consider current and future demands and aimed to improve all aspects of transport.

‘‘It also involves understanding the region’s current transport infrastructure, services and developing a coherent series of strategies and actions,’’ Cr Dobson said.

Source: Shepparton News

Moira Shire Council is one of these six councils and contained within this document is the strong recommendation for returning V/Line passenger rail services to Numurkah and Cobram, while improving services to Echuca and Shepparton.

The document has been adopted but is not yet available for download. The final draft can be viewed here.

Demand for action on public transport

Northern councils push for public transport upgrade
Monday, 12 April 2010

Six local councils in Northern Victoria have released a new strategy that will involve a push for passenger rail services upgrades.

The 15-year plan covers future transport priorities in an area including the Loddon, Campaspe and Gannawarra areas.

A spokesman for the Councils, Peter Harriott says all are looking to improve regional public transport.

“Whether that’s bus or rail services. Individually there’s a focus in Shepparton on major bypass, freight logistics. Some of the smaller municipalities are interested in road widening and B double access and some of the river municipalities are interested in river crossings,” he said.

He says the plan will be used to secure funding.

“We’ve been told for a long time from federal sources that if we haven’t got a regional strategy and a long term vision, that the large dollars don’t flow, so it’s about being prepared and telling a logical story in relation to transport to the Federal Government and to the State Government as well.”

Source: ABC News

Moira Shire Council is one of these six councils and contained within this document is the strong recommendation for returning V/Line passenger rail services to Numurkah and Cobram, while improving services to Echuca and Shepparton.

The document has been adopted but is not yet available for download. The final draft can be viewed here.

Jasper speaks with new minister

The following two articles appeared in the Cobram Courier and Numurkah Leader last month.

Cobram rail service push
Wednesday, 17 February 2010

State Member for Murray Valley Ken Jasper has called for new Victorian Transport Minister Martin Pakula to act on reinstatement of the Shepparton through Numurkah to Cobram passenger rail service. Mr Jasper said with the change of Public Transport Minister he had raised the issue of the reinstatement of passenger rail services in personal discussions with Mr Pakula, in correspondence and in the Victorian Parliament.

“I expressed extreme disappointment at the lack of positive response from the former minister Lynne Kosky, who had relied on an outdated report from 2000 to reject reinstatement of passenger rail services to Cobram as being uneconomic. However, this report combined the Cobram service with other country rail services, including Benalla to Yarrawonga, to indicate at that time the cost could not be justified,” he said.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Jasper confirmed he had presented petitions signed by more than 3000 people from Cobram, Numurkah, Strathmerton and surrounding areas, to the Parliament, supporting his campaign for reinstatement of passenger rail services.

“I have received strong support from individuals, from representatives of many community organisations and, significantly, from Moira Shire now supporting reinstatement of a once per day rail service between Cobram and Melbourne, in conjunction with coach services,” Mr Jasper said.

He said this support was a clear indication people wanted to join the train at Cobram or Numurkah and travel directly to Melbourne, without having to transfer between coach and rail services. “I pointed out the need for a further complete assessment of the costs involved in reinstating passenger rail services on this line, recognising the strength of passenger support and future usage, noting the increasing patronage for country passenger rail services generally,” Mr Jasper said.

“Country peopled are certainly entitled to complete coverage with passenger rail services.”

Action demanded on passenger rail reinstatement
Wednesday, 17 February 2010

The new Victorian Transport Minister Martin Pakula has been called to act on reinstatement of the Shepparton through Numurkah to Cobram passenger rail service.

National Member for Murray Valley Ken Jasper raised the issue of reinstatement of passenger rail services in personal discussion with Mr Pakula, in correspondence and in the Victorian Parliament.

“I expressed extreme disappointment at the lack of positive response from the former minister Lynne Kosky, who had relied on an outdated report from 2000 to reject reinstatement of passenger rail services to Cobram as being uneconomic,” Mr Jasper said.

“However this report combined the Cobram service with other country rail services, including Benalla to Yarrawonga, to indicate at the time the cost could not be justified.”

When speaking in parliament, Mr Jasper confirmed he had presented petitions signed by over 3,000 people from Cobram, Numurkah, Strathmerton and surrounding areas to Parliament, supporting his campaign for reinstatement of passenger rail services.

“I have received strong support from individuals, from representatives of many community organisations, and from the Moira Shire, supporting the reinstatement of a once per day rail service between Cobram and Melbourne, in conjunction with coach services,” he said.

“This support is a clear indication people want to join the train at Cobram or Numurkah, and travel directly to Melbourne, without having to transfer between coach and rail services.

“I also pointed out the need for further complete assessment of the costs involved in reinstating passenger rail services on this line, recognising the strength of passenger support and future usage, and noting the increasing patronage for country passenger rail services generally.

“Country people are certainly entitled to complete coverage with passenger rail services,” he concluded.

Jasper calls on new minister

Jasper demands action on passenger rail reinstatement
Tuesday, 09 February 2010

The Nationals Member for Murray Valley, Ken Jasper, has called for new Victorian Transport Minister Martin Pakula to act on reinstatement of the Shepparton through Numurkah to Cobram passenger rail service.

Mr Jasper said with the change of Public Transport Minister he had raised the issue of the reinstatement of passenger rail services in personal discussions with Mr Pakula, in correspondence and in the Victorian Parliament.

I expressed extreme disappointment at the lack of positive response from the former Minister, Lynne Kosky, who had relied on an outdated report from 2000 to rejecty reinstatement of passenger rail services to Cobram as being uneconomic.

However this report combined the Cobram service with other country rail services, including Benalla to Yarrawonga, to indicate at that time the cost could not be justified, he said.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Jasper confirmed he had presented petitions signed by over 3000 people from Cobram, Numurkah, Strathmerton and surrounding areas, to the Parliament, supporting his campaign for reinstatement of passenger rail services.

I have received strong support from individuals, from representatives of many community organisations and, significantly, from Moira Shire now supporting reinstatement of a once per day rail service between Cobram and Melbourne, in conjunction with coach services, Mr Jasper said.

He said this support was a clear indication people wanted to join the train at Cobram or Numurkah and travel directly to Melbourne, without having to transfer between coach and rail services.

I pointed out the need for a further complete assessment of the costs involved in reinstating passenger rail services on this line, recognising the strength of passenger support and future usage, noting the increasing patronage for country passenger rail services generally, Mr Jasper said.

Country peopled are certainly entitled to complete coverage with passenger rail services.

Source.

Re-introduction of a passenger rail service to Cobram a priority

The Northern Victoria Regional Transport Strategy is a study developed for the Hume Regional Management Forum, Department of Planning and Community Development and the Department of Transport in conjunction with a number of northern Victorian shire councils. Moira Shire Council and Greater Shepparton City Council are two of these councils.

The report makes mention that it is important to improve access to public transport services in regional Victoria, in particular mentioning faster, higher frequency passenger rail services to Shepparton and Echuca, as well as the re-introduction of passenger rail services to Cobram (and Numurkah).

The report states that “Improved passenger rail services to centres such as Shepparton and Echuca and potentially to Cobram could help develop the economy in those centres by enabling service (sic) businesses that require efficient connectivity to Melbourne.”

The report goes on to recommend that the government be lobbied effectively to have passenger rail services to Cobram re-introduced. The full document can be downloaded here.