Come along and show your support this Sunday for the South Morang rail extension, and protest against the 1999 Bracks broken promise to build it by 2003.
Where and when: Sunday 8th October, 12 Noon at Cnr of Civic Drive and McDonalds Rd, South Morang
Melway: 183 A11. Buses: 571 from Epping railway station or 563 (Note 572 does not run Sundays)
Background: When in Opposition in 1999, Labor promised that if elected they would extend rail services to South Morang by 2003. When this did not happen, the community signed two petitions totalling more than 9000 signatures asking for the immediate extension. In May’s transport and liveability statement, the Government states that the extension will occur in 2021. More than 38,000 people will move into the growth corridor by then causing three to four car households. Residents are protesting so that we receive the essential services we need – the community is not asking for anything outrageous, just what we were promised.
Speakers:
- John Fry, Mayor of the City of Whittlesea
- Darren Peters, Spokesman of South Morang Rail Alliance
- Lily D’Ambrosio, Labor MP for Mill Park
- Aneta Ivanovski, Liberal Candidate for Yan Yean
- Karin Gerhardts, Greens Candidate for Yan Yean
- Brian Mawhinny, People Power Candidate for Yan Yean
- Peter Harris, Uniting Church of Plenty Valley
- Phil Bourke, Public Transport Users Association
The public will be bringing toy trains with them as a symbol of protest. There are only toy trains in South Morang — Government needs to stop toying with residents and give them the real train they promised in 1999. A member of each political party will speak on the issue with questions from the community. A sign board will show the community when the train line will be built according to each party.
Media coverage of this story: South Morang-Mill Park-Bundoora Star, 10 October 2006: You’re out of line, rally cry