the campaign trail - 29 sep

I'm running in the upcoming state election in the upper house seat of Eastern Metropolitan. It's been another busy week on the campaign trail. This week includes updates on:
 
- Greens support Doncaster Rail
- Greens support Knox call for action on Rowville Rail
- Yes to Doncaster Rail badges prove popular at the Park & Ride
- Greens support a Great Forest National Park
- We support Doncaster Rail meeting coming up
- Greens say legal aid surplus should be directed back into services
- Animals Matter rally, coming up Saturday 4 Oct in Melbourne

Greens Leader, Greg Barber MLC along with myself,
Ben Cronly - Bulleen and Richard Cranston - Warrandyte
hand out Yes to Doncaster Rail badges

You can keep up to date with campaign news on:

facebook - Samantha Dunn EasternMetropolitan
  or
twitter - @greens4eastmet 

to volunteer or donate

web - Samantha Dunn, Candidate for Eastern Metropolitan

samantha in the press

Future looks bleak for rail line
Knox Leader
by Anthony Galloway
23 Sep 2014

Councillors chase seats
Lilydale Leader
by Kimberley Seedy
25 Sep 2014

(Note: Should either of us be successfully elected it is highly unlikely it will be a hit to council's budget due to the amount of people who choose not to vote and end up with fines, it's more likely that it will be income positive)

Visitors sharing spirit

Mail Newspapers

25 Sep 2014

Good food news

Foothills News

Sep - Oct edition

five big public transport questions for the east

Five big public transport questions for the east

Thursday, 11 September 2014

Voters in Melbourne’s east have rated improved public transport as a key election issue and candidates need to clearly detail how they will address the big questions, the Eastern Transport Coalition said today.

According to the Victorian Auditor General's report, Coordinating Public Transport, public transport services in Melbourne are poorly coordinated and many deficiencies in the network remain despite being identified by successive governments over the years.

ETC chairperson, Cr Peter Lockwood said public transport funding has been inadequate to meet current commuter demand in parts of the eastern suburbs, and at current levels, will not keep up with the needs of a growing city.

The ETC has been running campaigns, Commuters Count and Better Buses, to support increased funding and better services.

After talking to and listening to the views of voters in the east for the last year we know that the five most important questions are:

1. Do you or your party support the construction of a rail line to Rowville and will you support a budget allocation in the next four years to advance planning for a rail line to Rowville?

2. Do you or your party support the construction of a rail line to Doncaster and will you support a budget allocation in the next four years to advance planning for a rail line to Doncaster?

3. How will your party's plans for increased inner city rail capacity allow Rowville

and Doncaster Rail to be built and when?

4. Do you, or your political party support increased funding for buses to allow more kilometres and a greater span of hours than currently exist?

5. Will you, or your political party support the renewal and improvement in public transport interchanges such as Box Hill and Huntingdale in the next four years?

“The Eastern Suburbs Transport Poll, which the ETC conducted in February found that 64 per cent of residents rated improving and expanding public transport as a top or very high priority,” Cr Lockwood said.

“We have also been hearing about the needs of commuters through our Better Buses Survey and Commuters Count video challenge and are keen to hear more before the competition closes on September 24.”

Cr Lockwood said the parties needed to answer these five critical questions regarding the future planning for public transport in the east to give voters a clear idea of what they stand for prior to the November State Election.

the campaign trail - 8 sep

I'm running in the upcoming state election in the upper house seat of Eastern Metropolitan. It's been another busy week on the campaign trail. This week includes updates on:

- Threatened Species Day - a visit to Toolangi with Greens Leader, Senator Christine Milne, and Victorian Senator Janet Rice
- Greens call for inquiry into Crown license extension
- Greens support Knox Council's call for action on Rowville Rail
- Greens will phase out gambling, alcohol and junk food advertising on public transport and billboards
- I sign the TAFE4ALL pledge
- Old parties block misconduct reform
- Filling the missing tram links  
- Greens say school autonomy going too far - schools need more support
- Be part of the phonebank action in Maroondah Knox
- Campaigning at the Warrandyte Market
- Manningham Greens campaign at the DART 

You can keep up to date with campaign news on:

facebook - Samantha Dunn EasternMetropolitan

  or
twitter - @greens4eastmet 

to volunteer or donate

web - Samantha Dunn, Candidate for Eastern Metropolitan

build it now, we've waited long enough

Public transport priorities will be a major factor influencing votes at the upcoming State Election according to new research results released by the Eastern Transport Coalition as part of its Commuters Count election campaign.

Conducted by Essential Research, the Eastern Suburbs Transport Poll of more than 1000 residents in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, found that 64 per cent of residents rated improving and expanding public transport as a top or very high priority, and the majority of respondents surveyed said they were more likely to vote for a party that committed to building key rail projects.

Significantly, the research also found that three out of four people believe that the delivery of rail projects needs to be accelerated and delivered sooner than the 2025-50 schedule the State Government has currently set for Melbourne Metro, Doncaster Rail and Rowville Rail.

We've been waiting long enough for public transport projects in the east, residents aren't prepared to wait another couple of generations.

The survey revealed that people believe the current timing for major rail infrastructure projects is unacceptable, with 75 per cent saying Melbourne Metro, Doncaster and Rowville Rail should be built sooner.

How many more studies can we be subjected to, time to get on with the building, not the stalling.

Residents in Melbourne’s east have had enough of public transport plans and studies that don’t produce results because they are unfunded or pushed so far into the future that they are continually relegated to the bottom of the list.

Don't forget you can tell the ETC what you think on the Commuters Count facebook page or tweet us using #commuterscount.

 

Some selected highlights of the poll include:

• 64% think improving and expanding public transport is the top priority or very important ranking with education and above water, new roads and the environment
• Three-quarters of respondents believed that the rail projects should be built sooner - only 10% thought the timing was acceptable and a further 7% thought they did not need to be built at all.
• 69% agree that if all the projects are not built there will be serious impacts on traffic and quality of life in Melbourne while only 17% think that the transport system will cope until the Government can afford to build them.
• 55% believe it is similarly important for the State Government to invest in major road and rail projects. 
• 28% think the rail projects are more important and 14% think the East-West link is more important.
• There was strong support for Government investment in infrastructure. Only 18% think that it is more important for the Government to reduce their spending to return the budget to surplus.

public transport commitment needed in budget

Public transport commitment needed in Budget

 
The priority and funding allocated to public transport projects in the next state Budget will be the true indicator of the State Government’s commitment in this area, Eastern Transport Coalition chairperson, Cr Samantha Dunn said today.

Cr Dunn said there was a backlog of public transport projects across the eastern region, identified through studies, plans and audits over decades.

She said the ETC supported the Victorian Government’s plan for expanding and improving the rail network but wanted it delivered quicker.

“The million residents of the eastern suburbs can’t wait until 2028 for the generational improvements needed for rail. By that time it will be a generation since they were promised and that’s too long,” Cr Dunn said.

“The current debate about road versus rail ignores the real need of commuters and businesses alike – we need better transport infrastructure, not choices between modes.

“Residents in Melbourne’s east have had enough of public transport plans and studies that don’t produce results because they are unfunded or pushed so far into the future that they are continually relegated the bottom of the list by other plans and projects.”

As the next State Budget is prepared, the ETC has asked the government to include in its short term priorities: funding the Melbourne Metro project, funding for stage two of the Doncaster Rail Feasibility Study, an upgrade of bus services, an increased program of grade separations, a move towards high capacity signalling along the rail network and improved cycling opportunities.

The key medium-term public transport priority for the region is improved rail services, specifically building the Doncaster and Rowville Rail lines.

Cr Dunn said the government had identified the Monash and Dandenong South National Employment Clusters as critical drivers of economic growth in the eastern region.

However this potential will only be realised with the delivery of key transport projects, namely the Melbourne Metro and subsequent Rowville and Dandenong rail projects.

"Political parties on both sides have agreed that Melbourne Metro is critical to the delivery of future development around Melbourne. Now is the time to put those words into action and provide funding to start this project in the short term,’’ Cr Dunn said.

  Cr Dunn said the ETC acknowledged that the rail projects would take time to complete and for that reason, bus services in the region must be improved and expanded in the short term.

“Melbourne’s bus services have been the subject of numerous review and recommendations, including a Metropolitan Bus Service Review, completed in 2010. Unfortunately, less than 10 per cent of the recommendations from that review have been funded and realised,” she said.

“Funding needs to be provided to ensure that there are enough buses to meet demand and that travel times are improved to make it a viable option to car travel.”

Cr Dunn encouraged commuters to share their views and hopes for the coming State Budget via the ETC’s Commuters Count Facebook page or the hash tag #commuterscount on Twitter.

“As the State election draws closer, the ETC will be campaigning for better outcomes across all modes of public transport and for all commuters in the outer east,’’ Cr Dunn said.

“Now is the time for residents in Melbourne’s east to speak up and tell the government that they deserve more than they have been given in the past 40 years.”

alp transport plan doesn’t go far enough

 

                                            Tuesday, 19 November 2013

The Eastern Transport Coalition has welcomed the State ALP’s pledge to significantly invest in public transport as outlined in its Project 10,000 document, but disappointed that the plan gives no actual commitment to build Doncaster or Rowville Rail.

ETC chairperson, Cr Samantha Dunn said Melbourne commuters were now faced with two imperfect and incomplete transport plans, despite years of studies and plans, including State 1 of the Rowville Rail Study and Doncaster Rail study completed only this year.

“While the Napthine Government has a clear policy with commitments and timeframes around Metro, Rowville and Doncaster, they don’t intend to deliver these projects until sometime in 2025-2050,’’ Cr Dunn said.

“The ALP says it will speed up the delivery of Melbourne Metro because it will allow for more network expansions, but will only commit ‘in principle’ to Rowville and Doncaster, stating that they will review the priority of these projects.

“Doncaster and Rowville risk being the most well considered and unbuilt rail lines in the city’s history.”

Cr Dunn said the ETC applauded the commitment to urgently remove more level crossings in the outer east and was pleased that this action now had largely bi-partisan support.

“What is concerning is the silence on bus services, which have similarly been the subject of numerous review and recommendations and still not enough action over the decades,’’ she said.

“For many residents in Melbourne east buses are the only public transport available within a reasonable distance of their homes, yet they are forced to deal with overcrowded buses and excessively long journey times, with no commitment for improvement in sight.”

“Both sides of politics need to do better and the ETC will be campaigning for better outcomes across all modes of public transport and for all commuters in the outer east over the next year.”

Cr Dunn encouraged commuters to share their thoughts about the plan via the ETC’s Commuters Count Facebook page or the hash tag #commuterscount on Twitter.

“If residents in Melbourne’s east want to receive more than they have in the past 40 years, now is the time to make your opinions known.’’

 

samantha in the press

Greater Dandenong commuters asked to share public transport stories on social media
Dandenong Leader
by Tim Michell and Julian Kennedy
26 Aug 2013          

Rowville Rail to be considered as part of state Labor's transport policy
Waverley Leader
by Tim Michell
24 Aug 2013

Sewerage plan set to resume
Mail Newspapers
27 Aug 2013

samantha in the press

Councils get together to fight for more public transport in Melbourne's eastern suburbs
ABC News
20 Aug 2013

Eastern Transport Coalition wants commuters to share woes on social media
Leader News
by Emily Webb
14 Aug 2013

Make a point of it
Leader News
by Emily Webb
13 Aug 2013

Open doors for fitness
Mail Newspapers
13 Aug 2013

 
 



samantha in the media

Feeding ban voted down, ruffling a few feathers
by David Schout
Yarra Ranges Weekly
4 Jun 2013

Yarra Shire's memo to Abbott
Yarra Ranges Weekly
4 Jun 2013

3MDR Judy Ann and Company
Interview with Judy-Ann

Panel to referee fast food slow burn
by Emily Webb
Leader Newspaper
3 Jun 2013

Planning future under scrutiny
by Kath Gannaway
Mail Newpapers
4 Jun 2013

Hills controversy spills over
Mail Newspaper
4 Jun 2013

No cocky ban
by Emma Sun
Mail Newspaper
4 Jun 2013

Feathers fly as bid fails to fine cockatoo feeders
by Emily Webb
Leader Newspapers
3 Jun 2013

Panel to chew over fast food proposal
by Emily Webb
Free Press Leader
5 Jun 2013

Waging war on weeds
Free Press Leader
5 Jun 2013

Free to feed cockies
by Emily Webb
Free Press Leader
5 Jun 2013

samantha in the press

East-West Link plans trips up trainspotters
by David Schout and Kristian Silva
Yarra Ranges Weekly
14 May 2013

MP says East West link won't cost Doncaster a train line
by Kristian Silva
Weekly Review
14 May 2013

Road over rail complaint (x2)
by Emma Sun
Mail Newspapers
14 May 2013

disappointing state budget for public transport in the east

State Budget disappointing for Melbourne’s East

The Eastern Transport coalition said it was disappointing that public transport needs in the eastern suburbs have once again been largely ignored in this week’s State Budget.

Eastern Transport Coalition spokesperson Cr Samantha Dunn said many resident’s in Melbourne’s east had no access to rail services, suffered with overcrowded buses that did not offer a competitive alternative to car travel, inefficient network links and sub-standard transport infrastructure.

“We hoped that the government would maintain the momentum of the Rowville and Doncaster Rail projects by delivering funding for phase 2 of their feasibility studies. Regrettably, neither project has rated a mention despite positive outcomes in Stage 1 of each feasibility study,” Cr Dunn said.

Cr Dunn said it was also disappointing that the Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel was allocated a relatively small sum in the Budget compared with the East West Road project, as its construction was the key to significant expansion of the Dandenong Rail line and the future integration of a Rowville rail line.

The government plans to spend $10 million in the next year “to progress detailed planning on Melbourne Metro” while $6 to $8 billion will be spend on Stage 1 of the East West Link.

Cr Dunn said the Metro Tunnel and signalling were the linchpin for the urgently needed expansion of the network, and it was concerning that it wasn’t made a priority.

Cr Dunn said $25 million for additional train services on the Dandenong rail line was a good start, however the Dandenong Rail Corridor also needed additional tracks and a signalling upgrade in order to provide reliable express services, efficient V/Line regional services and possible future freight services.

While $25 million was allocated for bus services, the eastern suburbs have been overlooked in favour of “key growth areas, leaving our residents to contend with overcrowded buses and excessively long journey times.

“The $66 million to upgrade the Ringwood station precinct announced before the Budget is a positive step, as are the grade separations to remove level crossings in Mitcham, Springvale, Blackburn and Bayswater,” Cr Dunn said.

“Level crossings create increasing delays on roads for cars, buses and trams, and limit the future expansion of the rail network. With so many trouble spots dotted throughout Melbourne’s east, the ETC hopes that the government will accelerate the program of grade separations in the future.”

will it be good transport news for the east?

 ETC hopes for good public transport news in the budget

The Eastern Transport Coalition is looking forward to some good public transport news when the State Budget is delivered on Tuesday, ETC spokesperson Cr Samantha Dunn said today.

“Over the past year the State Government has taken steps towards addressing public transport needs in the east, with the first stage of feasibility studies completed for both Rowville Rail and Doncaster Rail,’’ Cr Dunn said.

"Both studies have been positive and the government should now maintain the momentum and provide funding to continue planning for these two important projects,” she said.

 “We also hope to see a significant increase in funding for bus services which, for many residents in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, is the only public transport within a reasonable distance of their homes.”

A lack of coordination between services, inadequate frequency, insufficient coverage and already congested roads, means that the existing bus network is uncompetitive with car travel.

The 2010 Metropolitan Bus Service Review was intended to identify and address these issues, however to date only around 8 per cent of the review’s recommendations have been implemented.

Cr Dunn also urged the government to maintain a focus on grade separations and welcomed the funding that has already been provided to remove level crossings in Mitcham, Springvale, Blackburn and Bayswater.

“The government has recognised the frustration that level crossings pose for road users and the limitations it creates in the entire public transport network and we look forward to the removal of other level crossing trouble spots in the future,” she said.

“Good public transport underpins a sustainable community. Efficient, accessible and affordable public transport provides a wide range of social, environmental and economic benefits.

“The cost of failing to deliver an integrated public transport system will be felt by the entire community through overcrowding on existing public transport, worse congestion on our roads and lost productivity.”

samantha in the press

Rowville line upgrades take back seat to north and west rail upgrades
by Angus Livingston
Waverley Leader
2 Apr 2013

Yarra Ranges Weekly 2 Apr 2013



Lilydale Leader 2 Apr 2013

 



samantha in the press

Some Belgrave and Selby residents could be waiting until 2018 to be connected to sewer network
by Emily Webb
Free Press Leader
13 Mar 2013

State Government accused of finding excuses to delay Rowville Rail Link after report release
by Laura Armitage and Tim Michell
Knox Leader
12 Mar 2013

No Monash Uni train station for at least a decade
by Daniel Tran
Monash Weekly
11 Mar 2013

“More buses” needed during Rowville Rail wait
by Matthew Crawford
The Next Station
10 Mar 2013

samantha in the press

This train leaving for Rowville ... one day
by Adam Carey
The Age
5 Mar 2013

No to cockies wanting crackers
by David Schout
Yarra Ranges Weekly
5 Mar 2013

Black Saturday: Extra time sought on planning approvals
by David Schout
Yarra Ranges Weekly
5 Mar 2013

rowville rail report released

The Eastern Transport Coalition today welcomed the long-awaited final report into a Rowville Rail line and the Baillieu Government’s subsequent commitment to proceed with the second stage of the feasibility study.

ETC Chairperson, Cr Samantha Dunn said the State Government’s acknowledgement that a Rowville Rail line is feasible was an important step forward.

"Mr Baillieu has said that his government would now begin planning the future alignment of a Rowville rail line – that is great news and we look forward to seeing the details about how the project will now progress," Cr Dunn said.

 

"If the government is indeed serious about delivering a quality, integrated public transport system for Melbourne then it needs to commit funding, set timelines for work to begin, and secure land need for the project."

According to the report, a Rowville rail line could follow the central median of North Road and Wellington Road from Huntingdale to Stud Road, and then turn north to terminate at Stud Park. Four new stations would be provided at Monash University, Mulgrave, Waverley Park and Rowville.

The report also noted that planning and construction could take another 7-8 years, and would depend on other projects being completed including the Dandenong rail corridor upgrade and the Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel.

There was also recognition that bus services would need to be increased to cope with current demand while planning for the train line continues.

Cr Dunn called on the State and Federal Governments to commit funding and work through the issues to get the line built as soon as possible.

"The project has already been in the too-hard basket for 40 years. Delaying further will only exacerbate costs, road congestion and land use issues," she said.

"The feasibility study showed that the community was overwhelmingly in favour of the rail line and the many positive benefits it would bring, particularly for those trying to access Monash University. We urge the Government to take the next step and get the railway line built."

The ETC is made up of seven eastern suburban councils, and represents the public transport needs of more than one million residents.

samantha in the press

Eastern Transport Coalition of seven councils wants fast tracked plans for Doncaster and Rowville lines
by Tim Michelle
Leader Newspapers
14 Feb 2013

Healesville complex proposal knocked back
by David Schout
Yarra Ranges Weekly
13 Feb 2013

samantha in the press

Fear of Rowville link derailment
Leader Newspapers
27 November 2012

Fears that rail project will be shunted
Knox Weekly
by Tara McGrath and Daniel Tran
28 November 2012

rowville rail report - where is it?

GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO RELEASE OVERDUE ROWVILLE RAIL REPORT

The final report of the Rowville Rail feasibility study, nearly six month overdue, needs to be released by the State Government, the Eastern Transport Coalition said today.

ETC Chairperson, Cr Samantha Dunn said the final report for phase 1 of the study was due to be released mid-2012. Phase 2 of the study was to begin in mid-2012 and be completed by mid-2013.

“The Transport Minister still hasn’t released the final report for stage 1 and there isn’t even a commitment of funds to undertake phase 2,” Cr Dunn said.

Phase 1 of the study investigated the feasibility of a 12 kilometre rail line between Huntingdale Railway Station and Rowville that would serve residents in the eastern suburbs and the large number of students attending Monash University.

It looked at engineering, architectural and operational options and included extensive public consultation.

A draft report of the study’s results, released by the government in March this year, showed that a Rowville rail service would be well-used with an estimated 68,000 passengers per day.

“That would remove the equivalent of one lane of traffic from the Monash Freeway,” Cr Dunn said.

“For the first time in four decades, tens of thousands of people living in the eastern part of Melbourne have had a glimpse of hope that there might be an alternative to free them from the traffic snarls along Wellington Rd, the Monash Freeway and Eastern Freeway,’’ she said.

“It would be a savage blow if the government didn’t commit to completing the study and set firm timelines for building the project.

“Delaying the project decade after decade only exacerbates costs, road congestion and leaves the door open for further complications with land use.”

 

Cr Dunn also welcomed the RACV’s Growing Pains report, which identified 159 critical projects across Melbourne and Geelong that need to be undertaken urgently to improve transport.

“The ETC supports the RACV’s position that a better approach to funding is needed and seeks a commitment from government that it will addressing the backlog of public transport projects around Melbourne, Rowville Rail included,” she said.