Ararat passengers face standing room only
WHEN Caroline Springs’ railway station opens, the Liberal Party believes the city-centric Andrews Labor government should not ignore the plight of Ararat residents faced with hours of travel.
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There will be a new V/Line timetable, but at present the weekday early evening Southern Cross – Ararat train departs at 6.26pm.
If the current 27-minute gap between the previous stopping all stations train to Bacchus Marsh and the Ararat-bound train remains similar, Labor’s Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan and V/Line’s yet-to-commence CEO James Pinder may want to slyly slip in an extra stop for the Ararat train at Caroline Springs, with Ms Allan hoping no one west of Bacchus Marsh notices.
The result would be Ararat-bound passengers unable to secure a seat at Southern Cross on some nights. They would have to stand for about 25 minutes. This would be especially difficult for elderly passengers who had endured a long day of Melbourne medical appointments.
For once, Ms Allan should take a leaf out of Member for Ripon Louise Staley’s book and put western Victorians first, given that Ararat residents have far less frequent trains than the majority of Melburnians, including soon those residing in Caroline Springs.
- David Hodgett MP, Opposition public transport spokesman
Free up cash flow, but secure water resources
FOR generations of Australia’s farmers, the greatest challenge facing livelihood has always been the unpredictability of the future.
Key planting and harvesting milestones throughout the season often require significant investment, which has a direct impact on cash flow.
Water is central to a successful future but until now, managing the inflexible purchase process has been challenging.
Waterfind have been working with customers to develop a product that frees up cash flow but secures their water resources for the current season.
Available exclusively through Waterfind, deferred delivery enables irrigators to secure temporary water parcels with a deposit rather than funding the full amount upfront.
The remainder of funds are due upon delivery of the parcel, which is set at a date in the current water season selected by the purchaser. The tool has been well received by customers, as deferred delivery provides low cost access to secure supply needed throughout the season.
Irrigators have longed for a product that helps them to secure the water resources they need for the current season but also frees up cash flow.
Working alongside our customers, we are excited to introduce yet another innovation into the water market. Bringing greater flexibility to irrigators and water users alike.
Deferred delivery will be rolled-out through a staged process. Entitlement holders in the Southern Connected System will be the first to access the new product with other water markets to be added in the near future.
As income is greatly dependent on the season, intimal feedback suggests that deferred delivery will become a key resource for irrigators. More information at waterfind.com.au or phone 1800 890 285.
- Alister Walsh, Waterfind Australia CEO
Information available on five new Victorian Bills
LAST week five Bills were introduced to the Victorian Parliament which may be of interest to residents across the Lowan electorate. The Bills are as follows:
- Creative Victoria Bill 2016;
- Heritage Bill 2016;
- Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Amendment Bill 2016;
- Small Business Commission Bill 2016.
More information at www.parliament.vic.gov.au/legislation
- Emma Kealy, Lowan MP