Harwood fast train levy gets big ‘no’

THE major parties say they have no plans to levy commuters to pay for fast rail to Geelong.

It comes after Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood yesterday floated the possibility of a levy on ratepayers or commuters to subsidise and fast track the project that could deliver a 32-minute commute to Melbourne.

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said Labor had “no plan to tax passengers” to deliver fast rail to Geelong.

“We share the aspirations of the Geelong city council to deliver fast rail to our regional cities, quickly,” Ms Allan said.

“That’s why a re-elected Labor Government will invest $150 million in all the planning we need to get it done, expected to be finished by mid 2020.”

“The new Western Rail Plan includes planning for the full separation of regional and metro services on the Geelong and Ballarat lines — the first step in delivering fast rail to these cities — meaning fewer stops, faster trips and less crowded trains.”

South Barwon MP Andrew Katos said the Liberal Party will not “introduce or increase taxes” to pay for fast rail to Geelong. “The Liberal Party will not introduce or increase taxes to pay for our election promises,” Mr Katos said. “All our policies are fully funded and fully costed.”

Earlier this year Mr Katos and the Liberal Party promised to build fast rail to Geelong by 2022 if they won government at the election.

Independent candidate for Geelong Darryn Lyons was not supportive of levying commuters or ratepayers.

“I think the mayor needs to take a serious look at what’s going on in his own city. There are too many levies,” Mr Lyons said. “Trains are a state and federal government issue; it is not a local government issue.”

Mr Harwood said levying commuters or ratepayers is likely to bring forward the start date of the Geelong fast rail project.