OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Guy and Member for Ripon Louise Staley have pledged to boost public transport in the Shire\u2019s north.<\/p>\n
Should the Liberal party form government in November follow the state Election, the Ballarat public bus network would be expanded to include Smythesdale.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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,\u201d Ms Staley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole northern edge of the Golden Plains Shire is a growth area… that doesn\u2019t have transport options at the moment. It plans to grow a lot more.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will transform people\u2019s lives, make them more integrated into the significant regional centre of Ballarat, and allow them to enjoy the peri-urban lifestyle in Smythesdale.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe community has asked for this repeatedly, so I\u2019m delighted an elected Guy government will deliver this. It\u2019s absolutely necessary and will be an early priority for us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Gavin Gamble said the municipality\u2019s north-east communities are reliant on what Ballarat has to offer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just a bus service we\u2019re looking at; it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are a very young Shire. It provides them with autonomy and social connections which is so important for wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Guy visited Smythesdale last week for the announcement and emphasised that public transport shouldn\u2019t just be capital city focused.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about serving communities outside of big cities, and… giving them access to services,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn places like Smythesdale, what we\u2019re trying to encourage is connectivity between towns and cities that are outside of Melbourne, not just having a reliance on Melbourne.<\/p>\n
\u201cPublic transport initiatives like this are very, very important to grow the whole state.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to work with the local community north of the shire to ensure we\u2019re delivering the best possible service for passengers,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Guy and Member for Ripon Louise Staley have pledged to boost public transport in the Shire\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n