Rail jobs in limbo

EVERY politician knows that jobs creation is a hot-button issue.

Major project pitches come with the requisite jobs projection attached, and governments are well aware that their fortunes can live or die on the back of employment levels.

When the State Government announced funding for the Waurn Ponds stabling and maintenance yards, the potential 130 new jobs was a major part of the pitch.

The stabling yards project was first announced in May 2015 as part of a widespread plan to improve regional rail services. The Government committed $115 million to the project in the following budget and pledged that it would provide 100 new local jobs in construction and 30 ongoing jobs once it was finished.

At the time, both Premier Daniel Andrews and Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan made sure they touted it as a win for both train commuters and workers alike.

“This investment of more than $250 million will provide better regional train services, and help create nearly 200 jobs,” Mr Andrews said in his 2015 statement.

Fast forward 2½ years and the project and its associated jobs are nowhere to be found.

The State Government maintains that it is still committed to the project, but 800 days is a long time for such a large project to remain in limbo.

It seems a bit cheeky to make the big media announcement and commit millions of dollars to something and then sit back in silence for years while voters wait to see it come to fruition.

G21 chief executive Elaine Carbines urged attendees at a recent regional rail forum to make sure they convey to their local politicians the importance of coming good on the issue.

“You need to make sure that our politicians are aware ... you need to keep up the pressure,” she told the crowd.

Mrs Carbines is right. Our elected representatives need to be kept accountable on their promises — especially when it comes to something as important as jobs.