At its February meeting the Eastern Transport Coalition elected Yarra Ranges Councillor, Samantha Dunn as its new Chairperson.

Cr Dunn takes over from Cr Van De Vreede who had served in the role for the past four years. Cr Dunn has represented the Lyster Ward in the Shire of Yarra Ranges since 2005.

Cr Dunn said that she was honoured to be elected as Chairperson and thanked Cr Van De Vreede for his work.

“Cr Van De Vreede has been a champion for better public transport in the outer east and was instrumental in directing the ETC’s campaigning on issues such as the removal of zone 3, the successful campaign for the Federal Government to fund urban public transport infrastructure and the ongoing campaign for rail extensions and capacity upgrades.

“Under my leadership the Eastern Transport Coalition will continue to advocate for accessible and integrated sustainable transport in the eastern region of Melbourne to improve liveability and reduce car dependency.

“We have come a long way in the last 4 years but we need to do more because there are still serious deficiencies in the provision of public transport to outer east,” Cr Dunn concluded.

ETC COUNCILLORS 2009

Cr Samantha Dunn (Chairperson) Shire of Yarra Ranges
Cr Alex Makin Maroondah City Council
Cr Bill Pemberton City of Whitehorse
Cr Mick Van De Vreede Knox City Council
Cr Greg Male Monash City Council
Cr Gracel Lavella Manningham City Council
Cr Roz Blades City of Greater Dandenong

For media inquiries please contact;
ETC Chairperson Cr Samantha Dunn 0407 364 509
CPR Communications, Robert Larocca 0409 198 350

ETC Chairperson, Cr Mick Van De Vreede has said that whilst the eastern region missed out
on any boost for public transport in the $42B stimulus package the ETC remained confident
of funding from the Building Australia Fund.

“The ETC made a submission to the Building Australia Fund last year and we are hopeful that when the successful projects are announced funding will be provided for rail in the east.

“The Federal and State Government are currently looking for projects they can fund to provide a stimulus to the local economy and rail is the perfect answer.

“Improved rail services will do more than just provide jobs; it would provide an ongoing economic stimulus from the reduction in congestion, improve community connectedness and help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“The ETC requested funding for four projects from Infrastructure Australia (IA);

• Rail to Rowville from Huntingdale Station via Monash University
• Rail to Doncaster
• Capacity upgrades on the Cranbourne/Pakenham lines
• Expansion of the capacity of the Belgrave/Lilydale line

“Even though the State Government did not include all these projects in its Victorian Transport Plan they can still be funded by IA,” Cr Van De Vreede concluded.