monster petition tabled this week

The largest transport petition in at least 20 years will finally be tabled in the Victorian Parliament this week.

More than 13,000 people signed the Eastern Transport Coalition's Monster Petition, which calls on Government to address significant gaps in Victorian transport planning, including conducting feasibility studies on rail links to Rowville and Doncaster.

The Greens have committed to feasibility studies for Rowville and Doncaster rail, whilst The Liberal Party have committed to feasibility for Rowville rail only. Here Opposition Spokesperson - Terry Mulder, Minister for Public Transport - Martin Pakula and Greens Spokesperson - Greg Barber look at the detail of the monster petition whilst I as chairperson of the ETC and Mayor of Yarra Ranges, Cr Len Cox look on.

The residents of the East have for too long been neglected by governments of all persuasions.

It's time this government looked seriously at providing sustainable transport options right across Melbourne rather than focusing on a few key electorates.

The Eastern Transport Coalition represents seven councils in the East whose residents are crying out for more public transport. The petition being tabled this week has more than 13,000 signatures, each one of them a demand of Government to end the neglect.

The ETC petition calls on the Victorian Government to address the significant gaps in the provision of and planning for public transport in Greater Dandenong, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse, and Yarra Ranges.

The petition seeks commitments from the government to modify the plan to include:
1. A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Rowville,

2. A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Doncaster

3. A greater commitment to the extension of the Metro rail tunnel from Domain to Caulfield,

4.A full and public feasibility study for an increase in capacity on the Belgrave/Lilydale and Glen Waverly lines,

5. Improved facilities for passengers, particularly at interchanges located in central activity districts – Ringwood, Dandenong and Box Hill,

6. Fully accessible public transport facilities and vehicles

The level of public transport dissatisfaction in the Yarra Ranges had been growing for some time. Our residents are sick of being ignored when it comes to public transport policy. They are crying out for a solution.

It's about time the government paid attention to the calls for better transport in the East, I look forward to government taking notice.

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 few viable alternatives.

The Eastern Transport Coalition is very pleased that the Victorian Liberal Party and the Victorian Greens have committed to a feasibility study for Rowville rail whilst the Victorian Greens have also committed to a feasibility study for Doncaster rail too if they're elected – and we're calling on anybody who wants to govern in Victoria to realise that the East is crying out for better transport.

samantha in the press – public transport

MPs consider transport call

Mail Newspapers

by Lia Bichel

9 Sep 2010

samantha in the press - public transport

Monster moves in
Mail Newspapers
by Mara Pattison-Sowden
14 Sep 2010

samantha in the press – public transport

Party plans for better train links

Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
8 Sep 2010

Click on image for story

in the press - monster petition delivered

Petition drives public anger

Waverley Leader

by Kate Bruce-Rosser

30 Jun 2010

Monster moves

The Mail Newspaper

By Tania Martin

29 Jun 2010

where is our transport policy?

the monster petition finds itself of the steps of parliament

Thursday was the day the Eastern Transport Coalition's Monster Petition was delivered to parliament. As the Chairperson of the ETC I had the job of presenting the petition to Minister for Public Transport, Martin Pakula.

Me handing the monster petition over to Minister Pakula, I was pleased to see the Minister accepting the petition on behalf of the one million residents in the East.

I was joined by Mayors, Councillors and officers from the seven ETC member councils which represent over 1 million Melburnians, around a quarter of Melbourne's population.

The petition, spanning some 60 metres, is the longest petition presented to government for some time and certainly the longest this century.

It was good to see all political parties meet the ETC on the steps of parliament. It is a recognition of the importance of the issue.

In speaking on the day I talked about the neglect of one million residents in the east, I asked the government to start doing their homework into sustainable transport solutions, like the Rowville and Doncaster rail.

I asked the Minister to focus the efforts of government across all of Melbourne, and not just a few key electorates.

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 few viable alternatives

The monster petition, 60 metres long and signed by over 13,500 eastern residents, is a message to government to end the neglect. I was pleased to be able to present the petition to Minister Pakula on behalf of our communities.

It is important that we see some action from government on this issue, we don't want to see the petition condemned to the bowels of parliament house to gather dust, it is time to act on behalf of those million residents in the East who are crying out for sustainable transport solutions.

It was pleasing to see that all sides of Parliament met the ETC on the steps of parliament, Minister Martin Pakula, Terry Mulder – Opposition Spokesperson on Transport and Greg Barber – Greens Spokesperson on Public Transport were all there. It's clearly an issue that is important, now let's make sure that we see action.

The petition seeks commitments from the Government to modify the Victorian Transport Plan to include:

1. A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Rowville,
2. A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Doncaster
3. A greater commitment to the extension of the Metro rail tunnel from Domain to Caulfield,
4. A full and public feasibility study for an increase in capacity on the Belgrave/Lilydale and Glen Waverly lines,
5. Improved facilities for passengers, particularly at interchanges located in central activity districts – Ringwood, Dandenong and Box Hill,
6. Fully accessible public transport facilities and vehicles

a monster of a time

It has been a great time touring through the shire with the Eastern Transport Coalition’s Monster Petition.

I have been to many corners of the shire, talking to hundreds of residents bemoaning the state of public transport services in Yarra Ranges.

On Friday (11 Dec) I’ll be in main street, Belgrave with the petition and will also take the petition along to Carol’s by Candlelight in the Belgrave Town Park that night. The Monster Petition finishes its tour of Yarra Ranges with a two day visit to Chirnside Park Shopping Centre.

If you’d like your name to count be sure to look out for the petition at the above locations.

29 November - Anne Marie from the Warratina Lavender Farm was very supportive of the Monster Petition.

29 November - The Red Hat Society were keen to support improved public transport in the East.

30 November - Cr Tim Heenan, ward councillor for Billanook, was keen to support the petition in Mt Evelyn.

2 December - Cr Terry Avery, ward councillor for Melba, helped out with the petition in Mooroolbark.

4 December - Local journalists from the Mail Newspaper, Casey Neill and Tania Martin, were happy to support the push for better rail services in the east.

5 December - Local Lyster resident Paul was keen to sign the petition when it visited Kallista Market.

10 December - Libraries across Yarra Ranges hosted the petition, here it is at Belgrave Library.

it’s all show for the monster petition

The Eastern Transport Coalition’s Monster Petition got off to a great start in the Shire of Yarra Ranges at the Lilydale Show. Community members were keen to sign and send a message to government about the poor or non existent rail services in the east.

This lady was very happy to be the last signature on a scroll from the monster petition, a resident of Chirnside Park, she was keen to support the ETC’s efforts for better public transport in the east.

The government’s Victorian Transport Plan delivers very little for the east, our communities are crying out for better rail and bus services. Last week the issue of lack of rail and high levels of car ownership was highlighted in The Age. How much longer must our communities be burdened with expensive running costs and road congestion as they are forced to own multiple cars due to poor public transport services?

If you’d like to sign the monster petition look out for it at the following venues:

MONSTER PETITION SCHEDULE

Fri 27 Nov Lilydale Library

Sat 28 Nov Lilydale Library

Sun 29 Nov Warratina Lavender Harvest Festival

Mon 30 Nov Mt Evelyn Main street

Tue 1 Dec Mooroolbark Library

Wed 2 Dec Mooroolbark Main Street

Thu 3 Dec Montrose Library

Fri 4 Dec Mt Evelyn Library

Sat 5 Dec Kallista Community Market

Sun 6 Dec Healesville Craft Market

Mon 7 Dec Yarra Junction Community Link

Tue 8 Dec Upwey Community Link

Wed 9 Dec Upwey Community Link

Thu 10 Dec Belgrave Library

Fri 11 Dec Belgrave Main Street (near the Commonwealth Bank)

Fri 11 Dec Belgrave Carols in the Park

Sat 12 Dec Chirnside Park Shopping Centre - tbc

Sun 13 Dec Chirnside Park Shopping Centre - tbc

Mon 14 Dec Off to the City of Manningham

making a monster of it

Yarra Ranges’ residents will have the chance to make their mark on the historic public transport Monster Petition as it travels throughout the shire over the next three weeks.

Today at Eastland, I formally received the Eastern Transport Coalition’s Monster Petition from Cr Alex Makin, Maroondah’s ETC representative.

The petition will kick off its tour through Yarra Ranges at the Lilydale Show over this weekend before travelling throughout the shire.

The Monster Petition is part of an innovative campaign aimed at putting pressure on the State Government for better public transport across Melbourne’s east.

The Monster Petition was launched at Monash University’s Clayton campus in July and has since travelled through five municipalities, collecting signatures from disgruntled public transport users and community members seeking a fair go for public transport in the east.

It’s an ideal opportunity for Yarra Ranges residents to get behind the ETC’s campaign to improve public transport by signing up to the petition.

By collecting thousands of signatures we hope to show the government that the community is fed up with a second rate public transport system.

While the Monster Petition travels throughout the shire pages from the petition will also be available for signing at the council’s Community Links, libraries, aquatic centres and arts centres.

A list of petition locations and times is available on the Eastern Transport Coalition website.

MONSTER PETITION SCHEDULE
Sat 21 Nov Lilydale Show
Sun 22 Nov Lilydale Show
Mon 23 Nov Lilydale Community Link
Tue 24 Nov Lilydale Library
Wed 25 Nov Swinburne University
Thu 26 Nov Lilydale Community Link
Fri 27 Nov Lilydale Library
Sat 28 Nov Mooroolbark Christmas Fair, St Peter Julian Eymard School
Sun 29 Nov Warratina Lavender Harvest Festival
Mon 30 Nov Mt Evelyn Main street
Tue 1 Dec Mooroolbark Library
Wed 2 Dec Mooroolbark Main Street
Thu 3 Dec Montrose Library
Fri 4 Dec Mt Evelyn Library
Sat 5 Dec Kallista Community Market
Sun 6 Dec Healesville Craft Market
Mon 7 Dec Yarra Junction Community Link
Tue 8 Dec Upwey Community Link
Wed 9 Dec Upwey Community Link
Thu 10 Dec Belgrave Library
Fri 11 Dec Belgrave Main Street (near the Commonwealth Bank)
Fri 11 Dec Belgrave Carols in the Park
Sat 12 Dec Chirnside Park Shopping Centre
Sun 13 Dec Chirnside Park Shopping Centre
Mon 14 Dec Off to the City of Manningham

monster petition coming to yarra ranges

The Eastern Transport Coalition’s Monster Petition is coming to Yarra Ranges. The petition touches down at the Lilydale Show on Saturday 21st November and will be there for the duration of the show. The Monster Petition will make its way around the Yarra Ranges over the next three weeks, for details of where and when visit the ETC’s website.

Me, signing the monster petition at its launch at Monash University in July, 2009.

Because the Monster Petition can’t be everywhere a looseleaf version of the petition will be available at all community links, aquatic centres and shire facilities.

The Monster Petition will be presented to parliament early next year to gain commitments from all political parties to deliver improved public transport services in our region. At the moment the Victorian Transport Plan delivers very little to the East and we want to see that change.

Students from Monash University were keen to sign the monster petition. Monash has no rail links with many students force to drive cars, the car park is a testament to students being forced to drive.

The Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) represents seven Councils in the outer east and advocates for accessible and integrated sustainable transport in the eastern region of Melbourne to improve liveability and reduce car dependency.

Petition wording:
PETITION To the Legislative Assembly of Victoria
The Petition of residents and businesses in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne points out to the House that the Victorian Transport Plan does not make provision for the extension of much needed rail services and improved passenger facilities to Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly of Victoria seek a commitment from the Government to modify the plan to include:
1.A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Rowville,
2.A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Doncaster,
3.A greater commitment to the extension of the Metro rail tunnel from Domain to Caulfield,
4.A full and public feasibility study for an increase in capacity on the Belgrave/Lilydale and Glen Waverley lines.
5.Improved facilities for passengers, particularly at interchanges in central activity districts – Ringwood, Dandenong and Box Hill,
6.Fully accessible public transport facilities and vehicles.

etc monster petition visits yarra ranges for a day

The Community Safety Expo held today at Lillydale Lake was a great opportunity for the Eastern Transport Coalition’s Monster Petition to make a cameo appearance.

The Yarra Ranges staff are keen to help out with the Monster Petition, here I am with Karen, one of our development and traffic engineers. Karen is very passionate about public transport matters and a keen cyclist too.

People visiting the expo were very keen to talk about their public transport woes and sign the Monster Petition, tallying an additional 235 signatures for today, signatures on the petition to date are over 5,000.

The Monster Petition returns to the City of Maroondah for the Maroondah Festival and will be at various locations up until the 20th November (see the ETC website for more info).

The petition officially commences it’s tour of the Shire starting at the Lilydale Show on the 21st November, watch this space for more info or visit the ETC’s website.

community safety expo – 7 November

stop press stop press stop press

Eastern Transport Coalition’s Monster Petition to make a cameo appearance at Community Safety Expo.

The Shire of Yarra Ranges has organised a Community Safety Expo at Lillydale Lake on the 7th November.

The day consists of emergency and safety demonstrations, including police helicopter, fire trucks, Your Emergency Services@Work, Red Cross, Animal Aid, Road Safety, Jaws of Life, water and quad bike safety.

You can get advice about development your Bushfire Survival Plan and try out the CFAs new online tool to assess how safe your home is in a fire.

There’s something for the kids too, they can meet the CFA’s very own Captain Koala, participate in the Passport to Safety activity, go in the CFA’s smokehouse and get down low and go, go, go, theres prizes and much, much more.

Now that the ETC’s Monster Petition will be at the expo, you will also be able to sign the petition to tell government you want improved public transport in the East. If you’d like to know more about the petition click here.

etc meets on myki, monster petition, peak oil and bike cages

Earlier this week the Eastern Transport Coalition met to talk about all things public transport in the East of Melbourne.

This month's meeting included a presentation by the Transport Ticketing Authority about the operation of the MyKi ticketing system being developed for Victoria's public transport. It was reported that the planned date for implementation is late 2009 in Melbourne metro areas and 2010 in V Line regions.

It is a touch on/touch off system which will mean passengers will have to ensure that they not only "touch on" to register they are on but "touch off" so the system can calculate the appropriate fare, something that could be challenging in a peak hour tram, or late night at an unsafe station.

There are a number of issues of concern to the ETC and we will be addressing them with the Minister in the near future.

The ETC's Monster Petition has now moved on from the City of Monash and finds itself in Whitehorse, there has been much interest and activity in the petition, with 1206 signatures collected so far. People in the East are tired of a second class public transport system and the response to the petition has been very positive. The next municipality the petiton will visit is the city of Greater Dandenong.

Peak Oil was another one of the key topics at this month's ETC meeting with three of the member councils having just attended the MAV's Smart Urban Peak Futures conference. Public transport is one of the best ways government can respond to peak oil, predicted to impact by 2013. Much of the discussion was around Dr Jago Dodson (of Griffith University) and his research into the vulnerability of outer suburban areas to increasing mortgages and rising fuel costs but with little opportunity to use alternative transport modes to access work, schools and shops. The ETC will be doing more advocacy about peak oil in the future and I will certainly be taking up the matter with councillors at the Shire of Yarra Ranges too.

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The ETC has been advocating for bike cages for some time, we

welcomed the announcement of secure bike storage at the Doncaster Park and Ride and have been working on developing a list of railway stations throughout the ETC region where bike cages could easily be installed. Bike cages give commuters an alternative way of getting to the station in the knowledge that their bike will be safe and secure and are a great way to encourage cycling to stations.

Station car parks are at peak capacity already in Yarra Ranges, we need to think of alternate ways to get people to the station and bike cages are a practical part of the solution.

monster petition underway

A blowy, blustery day greeted Mayors and members of the Eastern Transport Coalition for the launch of the monster petition on Tuesday.

The launch was held at Monash University, a great example of bad transport planning. The university sees 30,000 people a week go through it’s doors and yet there is no rail link to get there. Vast amounts of land around the university are taken up by car parking.

Me, signing as number 6 on the monster petition, by the time the monster petition left Monash we had 350 signatures for better public transport in the East.

Students readily took up the offer of signing the petition for better public transport to the east, particularly a rail line to Rowville which would link up with Monash Uni. Many students were lamenting the fact that they needed to drive their cars to uni because the public transport options weren’t there for them.

The State Government has never provided a reason why rail extensions to Rowville and Doncaster shouldn’t be built, the ETC is asking that proper public feasibility studies be conducted to assess the viability of delivering heavy rail services to these two areas.

The ETC is bitterly disappointed that the Victorian Transport Plan did not include any major initiatives to address the significant gaps in the provision of and planning for public transport in the region.

The seven members of the Eastern Transport Coalition representing 1.3 million Melburnians. We advocate for sustainable and integrated transport services to reduce the level of car dependency to secure the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the Melbourne's east.

Governments have been promising major investment in public transport for the eastern region since 1969. Forty years on and our residents are still waiting.

We’re putting the Government on notice that it’s time to end the neglect.

The launch was a great start for the monster petition which will be touring the eastern municipalities for the next 6 months.

monster petition coming to an eastern municipality near you!

Next Tuesday sees the official launch of the Eastern Transport Coalition's Monster Petition at Monash University in Clayton. Monash is a great starting point for the petition because, despite the huge numbers of students and staff travelling to this campus every day, it is still without adequate public transport infrastructure – Monash is a metaphor for the neglect of the eastern region of Melbourne over many years.

The ETC Monster Petition is made of multiple rolls of recyclable synthetic paper, each 15 metres long with two signature columns. The petition is housed in a custom-made timber box to facilitate its transport over the next six months. The Monster Petition will travel around the region for the rest of this year, hosted for three weeks by each of the ETC’s seven member councils before being presented to the Victorian Parliament.

The ETC was bitterly disappointed that the Victorian Transport Plan did not include any major initiatives to address the significant gaps in the provision of and planning for public transport in our region.

The petition will seek commitments from the Government to modify the plan to include:
1. A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Rowville,
2. A full and public feasibility study for a heavy rail line to Doncaster,
3. A greater commitment to the extension of the Metro rail tunnel from Domain to Caulfield,
4. A full and public feasibility study for an increase in capacity on the Belgrave/Lilydale and Glen Waverly lines,
5. Improved facilities for passengers, particularly at interchanges located in central activity districts – Ringwood, Dandenong and Box Hill,
6. Fully accessible public transport facilities and vehicles

Successive governments have been promising major investment in public transport for the eastern region since 1969. Forty years on and our residents are still waiting. We’re putting the Government on notice that it’s time to end the neglect.

If you'd like to come down and put your name on the petition be at Monash at 11:00am on Tuesday 21st July on the lawn between Menzies Building and Campus Centre (Melways ref: X875, F9).

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Can't make it? Don't despair, the petition is wending its way through the eastern suburbs starting at the City of Monash, to Whitehorse, Dandenong, Manningham, Knox, Maroondah and finishing in Yarra Ranges in November/December.