Questions about how the state government is going to fix Wyndham’s road and public transport problems dominated a community forum in Werribee on Monday night.
Premier Denis Napthine and nine of his cabinet colleagues took part in a 90-minute forum at the civic centre as part of the first community cabinet held in a growth area.
About 100 people attended, but many were taxi drivers from outside the area, protesting against industry reforms.
Dr Napthine began by spruiking the government’s recent investments in Wyndham, including a new suburb being built at East Werribee, a $40 million diamond freeway interchange at Sneydes Road and the expansion of Wyndham Harbour in Werribee South.
Many residents who asked questions found themselves being given a list of recent investments in Wyndham or the western suburbs in general, while others were asked to pass their details to an adviser.
Among the Wyndham residents who were able to register for the limited-seating event was Wyndham Vale’s Cameron Nash, 20.
Mr Nash, a member of the Wyndham Transport Advisory Committee, asked Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder to do something to improve transport.
“I still think [the bus network] is stretched to the limit and we have the least direct bus routes in Melbourne,” Mr Nash said. “We have three level crossings in the top 20 worst in the state.”
Mr Mulder pointed to increased Werribee line train services and bus improvements since the Coalition came to power, and the opening of Williams Landing station earlier this year, before conceding that bus and trains timetables needed to be better aligned.
“[Public Transport Victoria] is going from region to region by aligning bus and train timetables,’’ he said. ‘‘All I can say is it is a recurrent funding issue. We will continue to work at it.”
Manor Lakes’ Greg Byrne asked if the government had plans to widen Ballan Road.
Mr Mulder said the government had made “a number of significant investments” in local roads and was preparing a business case for the duplication of Dohertys Road in Laverton North.
COMMUNITY CABINET: OUR COVERAGE
