State election candidate Oscar Yildiz calls for ‘outer rim’ rail loop to ease congestion, grow suburbs

A CANDIDATE in the upcoming state election has proposed an outer rim train loop for Melbourne that would include the airport and help ease congestion across the suburbs.

AN “outer rim” rail line should be built around Melbourne to ease congestion and boost economic growth.

The ambitious idea comes from City of Moreland councillor Oscar Yildiz who wants to make the transition to state politics.

Cr Yildiz, an ALP member, has quit the party after failing to win preselection for the seat of Brunswick.

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He will contest the Labor seat of Pascoe Vale as an independent at the November state election.

Cr Yildiz said that if elected, he would promote his concept of an Outer Rim Train Loop that would generally follow the Metropolitan Ring Rd or go underground at certain ­locations.

“This train could loop around key suburbs from Melton, Sunbury, Craigieburn, Mill Park, Eltham, Donvale, Endeavour Hills, Frankston, Mornington and Geelong,” he said. “The train would connect to key lines and include the airport. It would help people get to their jobs, schools, services and family quicker and easier.

Oscar Yildiz’s plan for a train link for the outer suburbs.

“Our traffic is getting unbearable with congestion.”

Cr Yildiz briefly considered running in the recent Melbourne lord mayoral by-­election, but decided he had more to offer communities in the suburbs.

A former Moreland mayor and founder of the Bully Zero Australia Foundation, Cr Yildiz said the public was fed up with factional politics in all parties.

“I haven’t ditched the Labor Party, the party has ditched me,” he said. “A safe seat like Pascoe Vale has been taken for granted — I don’t want to be a puppet, I want to do the right thing for citizens.”

Cr Yildiz, a Pascoe Vale South resident, believed he had enough local support to defeat sitting Labor member Lizzie Blandthorn.

He would not comment on any preference deals with other parties.

Cr Yildiz’s other policies include support for the East West Link and opposition to the Grand Final eve holiday.

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@JMasanauskas