Labor announces Mernda rail extension if elected in November

LABOR has announced it will build a rail extension to Mernda in the first term of government if elected in November — a win for Access Denied campaigners.

LABOR will build a rail extension to Mernda in the first term of government if elected in November.

Opposition leader Daniel Andrews made the announcement at the South Morang railway station this morning.

An elected Victorian Labor Government will extend the South Morang train line to Mernda. #SpringSt #ThisIsLabor pic.twitter.com/owecKXD4Bv

— Victorian Labor (@VictorianLabor) September 24, 2014

Mr Andrews said many aspects were yet to be finalised, but the proposal would include 8km of duplicated track, no new level crossings, a new station at Mernda and an additional station between South Morang and Mernda.

“The time has come to extend the South Morang line to Mernda to cater for the significant growth in population in Melbourne’s north,” Mr Andrews said.

“Labor’s commitment will significantly increase the number of local people using public transport, providing better connections to employment, education, healthcare, entertainment and retail.”

Yan Yan state Labor MP Danielle Green said Doreen had grown from 19,000 people in 2011 to almost the size of Shepparton.

Ms Green said the project was therefore a “no brainer”.

“Labor’s commitment will bring much needed local jobs in Yan Yean, tackle congestion and kick start the much needed Mernda Town Centre,” Ms Green said.

“It’s a great day for the local community.”

The project is expected to cost between $400-$600 million.

The announcement is a win for Access Denied campaigners who have been asking for the extension for more than seven months.

The Greens and now the ALP commit to build @merndarail in next term! Over to @Sam4YanYean to see if LNP will match it?! #SpringSt

— Mernda Rail (@merndarail) September 24, 2014

South Morang and Mernda Rail Alliance spokesman Darren Peters said the Labor Party had listened to 5000 people who signed a petition calling for an immediate rail extension.

“Our reaction is jubilation that Labor has come through with a promise to extend the rail line to Mernda,” Mr Peters said.

“I’m sure all the volunteers who have worked so hard on the project will be getting together and having champagne to celebrate.”

Mr Peters said the campaign would not stop until “we see the first sod of soil turned on the Mernda rail extension”.

“We will continue to be on the pulse of the issue until we see the excavators in there putting the lines in,” Mr Peters said.

“What this means for the Liberal party is that unless they commit (to the extension) they have no chance of winning the seat.”

State Transport Minister Terry Mulder called a snap press conference at noon to blast Labor’s plan.

Access Denied campaigners will want the Liberal party to follow suit, while both parties remain silent on a Hume Freeway interchange at O’Herns Rd, Epping North.

Labor funded the duplication and extension of the Epping line to South Morang in 2009.

Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder will make an announcement regarding Mernda at noon today.

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You can support the Access Denied campaign by:

Visiting the campaign website here;

‘Liking’ Extend the rail line to Mernda’s Facebook page here;

Aurora Community Association’s Facebook page here; and

Whittlesea Leader’s Facebook page here.