The Andrews Labor Government’s Regional Network Development Plan – Victoria’s first ever short, medium and long-term plan for better regional public transport –is gaining momentum across Gippsland.

After successful workshops in Warragul, Sale and Bairnsdale, Public Transport Victoria are now engaging with residents of the Latrobe Valley and South Gippsland.

The feedback received through the community consultations will be fed into the development of the Regional Network Development Plan.

The Regional Network Development Plan will take into account the different needs of individual communities and deliver a regional public transport network where train, coach and bus services work together to get people where they need to go.

It is anticipated that the state wide plan will be finalised by PTV in readiness for a funding allocation in the 2016-17 Budget.

The next round of community consultation sessions will be held in Traralgon, Leongatha and Wonthaggi.

Details of these consultations are as follows:

Traralgon – Monday, 13 July
• Century Inn, 5 Airfield Rd, 6.00 to 8.00pm
Wonthaggi – Tuesday, 14 July
• The Wonthaggi Club, 16 McBride Ave, 5.00pm to 7.00pm
Leongatha – Thursday, 16 July
• Council Chamber, South Gippsland Shire Council, Michael Place, 5.00pm to 7.00pm

Brochures and surveys are also available at train stations and major bus stations.

To find out more, register for consultation sessions or complete the online survey, visit ptv.vic.gov.au/getinvolved.

Online discussion forums are also being conducted at ptv.vic.gov.au/getinvolved

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing

“Gippsland has been crying out for a long-term plan for better public transport, and that’s what we will deliver in partnership with communities across the region.”

“If you live in Gippsland and care about better train and bus services, get down to one of the sessions, collect a survey from a train station or fill out the survey online.”