Media Release May 4 2010

Today’s release of the state government budget was another missed opportunity to address transport woes in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, ETC Chair Cr Samantha Dunn said today.

“We were optimistic that today’s budget would provide some kind of assistance to those in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs who do not have access to adequate public transport,” Cr Dunn said.

“On reviewing the budget documents, it appears Government has continued to ignore the needs of over a million eastern suburbs residents,” she said.

Cr Dunn said that while the budget did contain funding for some necessary transport initiatives, Melbourne’s east had missed out again.

“Frankly, we’re disappointed but not surprised. It is time this government looked seriously at providing sustainable transport options right across Melbourne rather than focussing on a few key electorates,” Cr Dunn said.

Cr Dunn said that there was still time for this government to make a commitment to Melbourne’s east.

“This election year provides a perfect opportunity for this government to show that it is listening to the million or so residents east of Warrigal road who are forced to drive their cars to work because they have no viable alternative,” Cr Dunn said.

“ETC will continue to work with the Transport Minister to address the shortfall of sustainable transport options for residents of Melbourne’s east,” she said.