By Ray Fulcher
MELBOURNE — Williamstown residents and users of the Williamstown train line are campaigning to prevent closure of the much used line in Melbourne's west. The Kennett government intends closing the line from Newport to Williamstown on April 1 as part of its plan to gut public transport.
According to Brian Warland, convener of the Save the Williamstown Trains Action Group, it is uncertain what kind of service will replace the line because so far Alan Brown, minister for transport, has refused to see anyone on the matter. The action group has been attempting to make representations to the minister through the Williamstown city council, which supports retention of the line.
The most likely replacement will be a bus service. But, says Warland, "We don't know what route it will take. The current bus service from Newport takes 40 minutes; by train it's four minutes."
Removal of the train service will impact heavily on Williamstown residents. Schools and old people's homes in the area are built close to the rail line; 20% of the population are school aged and 25% are elderly people needing the rail service for mobility. "In Williamstown 23% of people are without cars", said Warland, and therefore dependent on this single line. Closure will also mean more people crammed onto the Werribee line trains to Newport.
Warland says his group has had discussions with the public transport unions to see what united action could be worked out. But the unions were currently engaged in negotiations of their own with the government and unable to help.
Warland says his group will fight the closure themselves. At the same time, discussions have been held with other community-based transport groups with a view to united action. The group has been collecting signatures from passengers on the line and at the recent Williamstown festival. "The response has been great", said Warland. "Even country people are signing, in protest at public transport cuts in general."
Meetings have attracted 100 people from the community to plan and discuss the campaign. They meet every Wednesday at 7.30 p.m. at the Williamstown Town Hall. A public meeting is planned for Sunday, February 14 at the Town Hall to protest closure of the line. Invited speakers include a Liberal government spokesperson, Joan Kirner (local MP and leader of the opposition) and the Williamstown mayor and councillors. There will be time for public comment.
Warland expects the meeting to be large. "People are angry that their public transport is being cut", he said.
To contact the group phone 397 7349 or 397 6168, Monday 12-4 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.