The Labor Government has been caught out again peddling a half-baked plan – this time to get the Warrnambool Rail Line running on time, Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell says.
V/Line has said level crossing speed restrictions are not the only issues they are dealing with when it comes to tardy trains, citing an unworkable brake system, damage as result of animal strikes and issues with the train doors, as other factors causing problems.
Mrs Britnell said Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan’s $10 million level crossing upgrade program was sold as the solution to all the lines problems.
“The media release she sent is titled level crossing upgrades to restore Warrnambool timetable, she said the works would enable trains to run safely on time again by the end of the year,” Mrs Britnell said.
“But what we learn now, and what I have long suspected, is the root of this problem is so much deeper than level crossings. Minister Allan would have known that, I have absolutely no doubt V/Line would be briefing her on its issues regularly.
“Once again Labor comes into the south-west with a half-baked plan, attempting to hoodwink us into believing it’s the solution. They did it with road funding; they did it with the Warrnambool Special Developmental School.”
Mrs Britnell said the Minister must now make a real commitment to fix the issues V/Line has with its rolling stock and make significant funding announcements in the coming state budget for replacements.
“Labor cannot continue with its half-baked, knee jerk approach to government. The Warrnambool line needs major upgrades. I’m making strong representations to my colleagues about the need for upgrade as we go through the process of forming policies ahead of the 2018 State Election.”
