Kim O’KEEFFE (Shepparton) (14:44): (662) My question is to the Minister for Public and Active Transport, and the information I seek is: when will the minister undertake an extensive bus service review for Shepparton? It has been 15 years since a review was last carried out, and it is well overdue. The current services do not meet the growth of the region and increased demand. Dysons bus group are in the process of building a new state-of-the-art bus depot, to be completed by October. The new depot will serve as a hub where more than 300 regional buses will be serviced and repaired. Currently all damaged buses need to be taken to Melbourne. I have met with Greg Fitzsimmons and Roy Dyson, who are inundated with requests for expanded Shepparton bus services, and they are very frustrated that they are investing in the region and progressing their business, yet a review for Shepparton to increase services has not yet happened. The region has grown significantly, with increased population and housing estates including Kialla, Congupna and Shepparton East, yet they are not connected to bus routes. Public consultation began in February for the Shepparton south-east precinct structure plan, which will see up to 2500 homes to accommodate a population of more than 6000. The need for bus services to this precinct is well overdue.
Categories: Local Issues, Speeches
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