Road and rail infrastructure key matters for Thomastown electorate

ROAD and rail infrastructure were nominated as the key issues in the seat of Thomastown by candidates running for the state election.

Thomas Di Palma is running as an independant for Thomastown in the state election. He is backed by the Aurora Community Association who are still pushing for a highway interchange at O'Herns Road. Picture: Kylie Else

ROAD and rail infrastructure were nominated as the key issues in the seat of Thomastown by candidates taking part in questions without notice.

Thomastown state Labor MP Bronwyn Halfpenny, who has held the safe Labor seat since 2010, said investing in essential infrastructure such as the O’Herns Rd/Hume Freeway interchange was what people wanted.

But neither the Labor or Liberal parties have committed to the project, despite the Access Denied campaign calling on MPs to make it a priority.

“It’s good for the area, it’s absolutely good, it’s essential because of the issues with safety and emergency services and evacuations,” Ms Halfpenny said.

“It’s about making sure we don’t have people stuck in traffic for long periods of time.”

Thomas Di Palma is pushing for a highway interchange at O’Herns Road. Picture: Kylie Else.

IT manager Thomas Di Palma said modernising the area’s road and transport network was the only way for it to move forward.

“This has been a country road and we have seen the population grow by several hundred per cent in recent years and the road has not kept up,” Mr Di Palma said.

“It’s also an emergency services issue as the roads are too full for emergency services to get out from the hospital and the situation in 2012 with the grassfires where we had thousands stranded.”

Greens candidate Ian Williamson said securing light and heavy rail infrastructure to Epping North and beyond was vital to the prosperity of the electorate.

“I think the key issues involve transport access, in particular light rail access to Wollert and the Aurora estates and the lack of heavy and commuter transport,” Mr Williamson said.

“I think the key issues involve transport access, in particular light rail access to Wollert and the Aurora estates and the lack of heavy and commuter transport.” - Greens candidate Ian Williamson.

The three candidates who responded each expressed their concerns for the growing unemployment rate across Thomastown and surrounding electorates.

Liberal candidate Nitin Gursahani did not respond to the Leader’s calls to take part in questions without notice by deadline.

A representative for Family First candidate Trent Schneider-Johnson said he would not participate in an interview.