Libs pitch Smythesdale bus service

OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Guy and Member for Ripon Louise Staley have pledged to boost public transport in the Shire’s north.

Should the Liberal party form government in November follow the state Election, the Ballarat public bus network would be expanded to include Smythesdale.

With services running every half-hour from 5.30am to 9pm, people would be able to catch the bus from Smythesdale to the city via Delacombe, with a loop returning via Haddon.

“It will be transformational for access for this community, meaning young people can get a part-time job, businesses have a broader labour pool, and people needing to access specialist medical appointments in Ballarat can do so,” Ms Staley said.

“The whole northern edge of the Golden Plains Shire is a growth area… that doesn’t have transport options at the moment. It plans to grow a lot more.

“This will transform people’s lives, make them more integrated into the significant regional centre of Ballarat, and allow them to enjoy the peri-urban lifestyle in Smythesdale.”

Ms Staley expects people from further west would also use the bus as a park-and-ride service, leaving cars in Smythesdale and heading into the city for employment, shopping, appointments, education, or entertainment.

“The community has asked for this repeatedly, so I’m delighted an elected Guy government will deliver this. It’s absolutely necessary and will be an early priority for us,” she said.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Gavin Gamble said the municipality’s north-east communities are reliant on what Ballarat has to offer.

“The extension of the bus network to Smythesdale means regular, reliable, and inexpensive public transport from this point to Ballarat, and in the future, we hope it extends further west along the Glenelg Highway,” he said.

“It’s not just a bus service we’re looking at; it’s a practical mental health service because it allows younger and older people, and people with disabilities, to have access to the regional centre of Ballarat.

“We are a very young Shire. It provides them with autonomy and social connections which is so important for wellbeing.”

Mr Guy visited Smythesdale last week for the announcement and emphasised that public transport shouldn’t just be capital city focused.

“It’s about serving communities outside of big cities, and… giving them access to services,” he said.

“In places like Smythesdale, what we’re trying to encourage is connectivity between towns and cities that are outside of Melbourne, not just having a reliance on Melbourne.

“Public transport initiatives like this are very, very important to grow the whole state.”

Currently, people needing to travel to Ballarat via public transport can use a twice-daily VLine bus which departs from Hamilton and stops in Smythesdale.

In response to the Coalition pledge, current local Labor MP, Michaela Settle, said public transport is important to the electorate, and the State is reviewing their entire bus network.

“We will continue to work with the local community north of the shire to ensure we’re delivering the best possible service for passengers,” she said.