By Belinda Nolan
DELAHEY resident David Anderson will represent Brimbank’s interests on the newly-appointed Regional Rail Link Community Reference Group.
Mr Anderson was one of seven community representatives who have been selected to form the reference group, which will provide a link between the project team and the wider community.
Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder announced the representatives last week, with selections based on community links and ability to represent a broad range of views.
The group will be chaired by John Nicol, a civil engineer, who is currently serving as chairman of a similar group dealing with the Victorian Desalination Project.
The reference group will provide information about the project to residents, businesses and industry groups and will raise issues of concern to the project team.
The group will also include representatives of the Regional Rail Link Authority, project contractors and councils.
Preliminary works on the project will begin next month despite the Federal Government deferring $500 million in funding for the project in its recent budget.
Mr Anderson said he was excited to participate in the reference group.
“I think it’s important to try and bring the perspective of those who are actually using public transport within Brimbank to the group so we can get the best outcomes for the community,” Mr Anderson said.
“Public transport has been lagging well behind the growth that has taken place in the west so it’s important that we get input from the community and from each of the municipalities that will be affected by this project.”
At this stage it’s uncertain how often the group will meet, but Mr Anderson said he believed it would be several times a year.
Community representatives have also been chosen to represent the municipalities of Maribyrnong, Wyndham, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Moorabool.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure Anthony Albanese said the Regional Rail Link would benefit regional and metropolitan train passengers.
He said it was important for members of the community to be involved in shaping the project.
