Rowville railway line main issue for Mulgrave candidates

OPPOSITION Leader and Mulgrave state Labor MP Daniel Andrews has refused to commit to Rowville Rail, which has divided candidates this state election.

Rowville Rail protestors

OPPOSITION Leader and Mulgrave state Labor MP Daniel Andrews has refused to commit to Rowville Rail, which has divided candidates on the eve of the state election.

A train line to Rowville was a key issue put forth by Leader during questions without notice, which included all state election candidates who had listed their contact details on the Victorian Electoral Commission website.

Of the five candidates listed for Mulgrave, Leader was informed that Rise Up Australia Party candidate Maree Woods was overseas and could not be contacted, and Family First candidate Norman Fenn would not participate unless provided with questions prior to the interview.

Leader asked Mr Andrews, Liberal candidate Robert Davies, presently on leave from duties as a Monash councillor, and Australian Greens candidate Josh Fergeus what they would do to deliver Rowville Rail, which has long been discussed as a solution to public transport issues in Mulgrave.

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Mr Andrews, who has lived in Mulgrave for 12 years, said he had a “different plan” that included removing 50 level crossings, redeveloping the Huntingdale Railway Station bus interchange, and investing in Melbourne Metro.

“I’m not making any commitments about Rowville Rail,” Mr Andrews said.

“I have other plans I have clearly detailed for Mulgrave voters.”

“I’m not making any commitments about Rowville Rail. I have other plans I have clearly detailed for Mulgrave voters,” — Daniel Andrews, Mulgrave state Labor MP

Cr Davies, from Glen Waverley, said a $2.5 billion upgrade to the Dandenong railway line would “enable Rowville Rail to be built in the future”.

“We are investing $2.5 billion into the Dandenong rail line in order to deliver the capacity that we need, and Labor is not supportive of that project,” Cr Davies said.

Mr Fergeus, from Mt Waverley, said the Australian Greens had been campaigning for Rowville Rail for eight years, and would continue to do so.

“The work has been done, it’s been talked about for 50 years and we are very firm advocates for Rowville Rail,” Mr Fergeus said.

“The work has been done, it’s been talked about for 50 years and we are very firm advocates for Rowville Rail,” — Josh Fergeus, Mulgrave state Greens candidate

When asked to nominate the key issue for Mulgrave constituents, all candidates provided different responses.

Mr Andrews said he would address youth unemployment by fixing the state’s TAFE system.

“If we don’t have a strong training system then we are going to have a generation of young people who are left behind,” Mr Andrews said.

“That’s something we can’t afford.”

Cr Davies nominated the East West Link, because the Monash Freeway cuts through the electorate.

“We believe the East West Link will free up traffic and congestion on the Monash,” Cr Davies said.

Mr Fergeus said the most important issue was the cost of living, particularly energy prices.

“In particular Mulgrave has a very high uptake of solar power ... (and) people are unhappy with the tariffs they are receiving,” Mr Fergeus said.

Waverley Park Resident Action Group member John Lourens at Waverley Park Estate.

The only point on which candidates agreed was the need for a quick resolution on a long-running dispute between developer Mirvac and Waverley Park Estate residents over the fate of high-tension powerlines.

Mr Andrews and Mr Fergeus both said Mirvac should honour its contractual obligations and put powerlines underground.

Cr Davies said he had been helping residents lobby the State Government and expected a “positive outcome” from the submissions hearing scheduled for December.