MAY 3, 2016 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Just super, Cooper There’s nothing first-time mum Carly is more proud of than being Cooper’s mum. And the Eynesbury mum can’t wait to celebrate her first Mother’s Day this Sunday with her bouncing six-month-old. Carly will share the day with Cooper’s nonna for lunch and his nanna for dinner. “Mother’s Day means a lot to me this year because being a mum is the one thing I have dreamed of my whole life and this is my first year celebrating it,” Carly says.
(Shawn Smits)
Sumeyya Ilanbey
Ballarat line’s double joy The state government is committing $518 million to duplicate the Ballarat railway line between Melton and Deer Park. A further $2.4 million will be spent on an extra 270 parking bays at Melton train station and a sealed carpark on the southern side of Rockbank station. As part of the multi-million dollar package, Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan announced during last week’s state budget that: • Second platforms will be built at Bacchus Marsh and Ballan stations. • The existing platforms at Rockbank station will be extended by more than 50 metres.
• New stabling facilities will be built at Melton and Rowsley to house the extra carriages. • Additional crossing loops will be built at Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and Bungaree. The package of works will allow for two extra services during the morning and afternoon peaks and a train every 40 minutes in off-peak hours. The state government expects to spend about $31 million in the next financial year on the line’s duplication, $196.4 million in 2017-18, $268.7 in 2018-19, and more than $20 million in 2019-20. Construction works are expected to start next year and finish in 2019. But there was no financial commitment to electrify the line in this year’s budget. Instead,
MU-X 4X4 LS-T 7 SEAT AUTO
funding will be provided to plan a business case study for future electrification. Melton resident Dotty Hazell’s two teenage sons use the V/Line trains to go to school – one heads west to Ballarat, the other to Footscray. Ms Hazell said she was “dubious” about the announcement significantly affecting travel times between Melton and Ballarat, but it could “only be a good thing” for travel to Melbourne. “It’s currently taking longer to use public transport than it is to drive,” she said. “At some parts of the day, it can take up to two hours to get from Melbourne to Bacchus Marsh.” Melton council has long advocated for
Ballarat railway line upgrades, identifying it as a priority project in the National Growth Areas Alliance’s ‘Fund Our Future’ campaign and forming the Ballarat Rail Action Committee. Council advocacy projects co-ordinator Tennille Bradley welcomed last week’s announcement, saying it was “incredible news” for Melton commuters. “Duplication of the Ballarat railway line between Deer Park and Melton will ensure a 20-minute train frequency during peak hours and will enhance rail services in the City of Melton to a metro-standard service … that most other Melbourne suburbs are already ablt access,” she said. ■ Budget
report: Pages 10-11
1224800-LB16-16 10035024-14
By Sumeyya Ilanbey
MENTION THIS AD FOR FREE GIFT
50,990
$
Manual from
15990 DRIVE
$
DRIVEWAY*
• 17” ALLOY WHEELS • FOG LIGHTS • SIDE STEPS & ROOF RAILS • PASSIVE ENTRY & START SYSTEM • LEATHER APPOINTED SEATS • PREMIUM AUDIO • SAT NAV & 10” DVD ROOF MONITOR
158-166High Street,Melton Ph:8746 0380 *Program price subject to change. Metallic/mica/pearl paint $396 extra. For full terms & conditions and current pricing visit isuzuute.com.au
*
FREE AUTO
EXCLUSIVE 3.0L ISUZU TURBO DIESEL
HARRISON
164-166 High Street, Melton, VIC 3337 Shane Alwis 0411 373 225 • Andrew Young 0400 609 490 Sales Specialist