Rail shuttle push part of delegation

Horsham mayor Mark Radford will appeal for the provision of a passenger rail-shuttle service between Horsham and Ararat in a delegation to State Government ministers.

Cr Radford said he would join Western Rail representatives in lobbying the government for funding for a large-scale and long-term Western Rail Project business case.

He added he would also use the meeting with state ministers Jacinta Allen and Melissa Horne to establish a regular Horsham-ararat shuttle service.

“The key message we’ll be taking as a group is for the government to fund a business case for the Western Rail Project, which involves everything from upgrading tracks and stations to high-velocity trains as well as improved passenger services throughout western Victoria,” he said.

“We will also get a chance to talk about specific requests.

“Horsham’s will be that we have a rail-shuttle service between Horsham and Ararat where we use existing tracks and stations.

“We believe we could have that right now. In understanding that the community has not had a passenger train for some time, it would be a great thing.

“We need to have a big-picture view of rail in western Victoria and I would also love to see a passenger train back in the region tomorrow where Horsham, Murtoa and Stawell stations are reactivated.

“If we could have something like that in place we could let the community vote with its feet over 12 months. I am sure Wimmera people will support it.

“If we could get two or three services a day linking with the Ararat service it would be amazing.

“All we’d need to do is fit a sprint- er on the track, which is certainly possible. Our station requires some tender-loving care, but perhaps that’s an area where the council could work with the government in partnership.”

Cr Radford said Transport Infrastructure Minister Allen and Public Transport Minister Horne had invited Western Rail representatives to the meeting in Melbourne.

He said Northern Grampians mayor Kevin Erwin, Southern Grampians mayor Mary-ann Brown and Southern Grampians chief executive Michael Tudball would form the delegation.

Mr Tudball would speak on behalf of the group, which includes several western Victorian councils. “Each mayor will also have a chance to speak for their municipalities and I will be talking about an opportunity for a sprinter service. We will be having a phone hook-up to discuss our plans at the end of this week,” Cr Radford said.

“At this stage we’re unsure when we will have our meeting with the ministers, but believe it will be early next month.”

Cr Radford has been researching the history of passenger rail services in the region and earlier this month was part of a re-enactment of the arrival of Horsham’s first train in 1879.