V/Line coaches replacing trains on the Gippsland line are not stopping at Clayton, Dandenong and Caufield, as the train services they are replacing did.

Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said this is hindering those attending important medical appointments, forcing the sick and elderly to catch a coach from Pakenham, then a Metro train to Clayton, which is inappropriate and cumbersome.

“I have requested the Minister for Transport review this decision and restore access to the stops that would have been covered by the train.

“Even if we can restore these stops on certain timetables, it will allow patients to align their appointments with the public transport services.”

Mr Bull said he was also awaiting a response from the Minister on the provision of a buffet car for the Gippsland line long haul service.

“It remains my strong view that if you are traveling this distance from Bairnsdale to Melbourne, or back the other way, then you should have the opportunity to have a cup of tea and a small snack on that service.”

 Monday, 26 June 2023

Dead and dangerous trees marked for removal over three years ago remain on our roadsides, causing a major risk to drivers.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said the fact the department has been dragging its feet is concerning, given this month, on the Gelantipy Road, one of the trees marked for removal three years ago actually fell, narrowly missing school traffic.

“These trees were marked by arborists for a reason – they are dangerous and there is no good reason they are still there after all this time.

“Before we have a serious accident, action needs to be taken to address this issue.

“It is not just the case at Gelantipy, but this situation exists on other roadsides around our electorate.

“I have asked the Minister to take a more hands on approach and ensure this work is done before the end of the year,” he said.

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, says after three years it’s time for the roadside trees that were marked for removal to be dealt with.

 Monday, 26 June 2023

The Thurra River Bridge will not be rebuilt for another two and half years, the Minister for Environment, Ingrid Stitt, announced on Wednesday – late 2025 at the earliest, almost six years after the fires in which it was destroyed.

Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the continued pushing out of the timeline for both this and the Cape Conran cabins and boardwalk was disgraceful.

Answering questions at a hearing on Wednesday, Ms Stitt, who was fumbling for excuses and not having any real knowledge of the topic, said it has gone out for tender, before retreating on this comment and saying the Department had only “recently completed the pre-construction planning phase” and that it was complex work.

Mr Bull, who described the Minister’s response as utter rubbish, said the reality is a bridge was built there 40 years ago and engineering practices have improved considerably since.

“The disappointing thing is we also have jetties not rebuilt at Mallacoota, we have Cape Conran cabins not yet commenced and the Cape Conran boardwalk has been at a standstill for 12 months.

“None of these jobs are as complex as the level crossing removals they are completing in Melbourne in far less than six years, it is just appalling.

“Proof the Minister has no idea what she is talking about is that the questions were asked on my behalf by my colleague, the Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, who sits on this committee and the Minister referred to these locations being in his electorate. She is a few hundred kilometres out!

“Of course this comes on the back of the Departmental Secretary last year referring to it as a bridge to an island, when it is in fact quite simply a bridge over a river on the mainland.”

Mr Bull said he will continue to push for a shorter timeframe for these works.

Monday, 19 June 2023