Joint position of Frankston Council and Mornington Peninsula Shire

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Mornington Peninsula Shire Council (MPSC) and Frankston City Council (FCC) have written to the Victorian Government clarifying their combined support for the electrification of the existing rail line from the Frankston city centre to Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula.

With a combined population of 305,000 residents and growing, the region boasts a Metropolitan Activity Centre (Frankston) and a Major Activity Centre (Hastings) forming focal points for services, employment, housing and social interaction.

Frankston City Mayor Michael O’Reilly said if the project is to be delivered as a staged rollout, both Councils support Frankston-Langwarrin as Stage One and Langwarrin-Hastings as Stage Two.

“Stage one of this vital public transport project would ease car parking congestion at Frankston Station and will directly benefit Frankston City’s Health and Education Precinct which includes Frankston Hospital, Frankston Private Hospital and Monash University Peninsula Campus,” said Mayor O’Reilly.

“Given recent major investments within the Precinct, including the Victorian Government’s $562 million upgrade to Frankston Hospital, it is important to provide the transport infrastructure needed to cater for the expected visitor growth.”

Both Councils acknowledge the complex consideration for the future metropolitan train network, however, both are opposed to any stabling and maintenance facilities being located in valuable green wedge land or altering the Urban Growth Boundary and will work together with the Victorian Government on possible solutions.

With 82 per cent of the Mornington Peninsula having no access to bus services and limited access to vital services such as health and higher education, Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Councillor David Gill said that in addition to investment in rail, the region is in desperate need of greater investment into our bus services.

Mayor Gill said “Mornington Peninsula Shire has the second lowest provision of public transport out of the 31 Councils in the Melbourne Metro Area. The aged, Youth and mobility affected deserve at least a basic level of service no matter where they live”

“The existing 788 bus service carries over half a million passengers annually, with current frequencies from 45 to 100 minutes failing to meet growing demand,” said Mayor Gill.

“We need the Victorian and Federal Governments to get moving on these public transport projects that will deliver better outcomes for our joint communities.”

Both Councils express a commitment to work with PTV and bus companies to ensure that the electrification of rail includes improved bus services and connectivity to support the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston City communities.

“These combined improvements are required in order to deliver the best possible outcomes for the regions residents, businesses and visitors for generations to come,” said Mayor O’Reilly.

Both Councils have requested a meeting with the Minister for Public Transport and Minister for Transport Infrastructure to further discuss this vital infrastructure project.

/Public Release. View in full here.