Sarah Henderson (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As Geelong and south-west Victoria continue to grow, the duplication of the rail track between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds is becoming a greater priority for our region. The current single track between Geelong and Waurn Ponds, which is approximately 15 kilometres, is a choke point as trains running in the opposite direction cannot pass each other. Residents who use the Marshall, Waurn Ponds and South Geelong stations deserve better passenger rail. A duplicated track and additional platforms will deliver more frequent train services, which are so important during peak hour. The Victorian Labor government concedes this is a priority project but has done nothing to put this on the priority list.

Over the weekend, I was delighted to go doorknocking with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, spreading the word on our NBN rollout, which is starting at the beginning of 2017, across Grovedale, Highton, Belmont, Wandana Heights and Marshall and right through the southern part of Geelong. We were also urging residents to sign my petition for a duplicated rail track. We have seen Labor turn its back on the people of Colac by not agreeing to further train services. We have seen Labor abandon the East West Link project, which has cost our state nearly $1 billion and badly hurt the people of Geelong and Corangamite. The federal government has a strong role to play in passenger rail, but the Victorian government must prioritise this project.