Power failure

By Lilly O’Gorman
A planning bungle has left the station without electricity to power the trains.
The previous Labor State Government forgot to include power in the plans for the new stations at both Pakenham and Lynbrook, meaning frustrated residents will have to wait until 2012 to use the station.
Lakeside Community Development Forum (LCDF) chairperson Kathy Burgstahler, said Lakeside residents were disappointed with the setback.
“There are more than 6000 people in Lakeside champing at the bit for this station,” Ms Burgstahler said.
“Locals will be surprised that something so crucial has been overlooked by the former government. Lakeside residents love using public transport and we are really excited about the station at Cardinia Road – so the sooner it is ready the better.”
Secretary of the Cardinia United Soccer Club, Jo Jones, said the new station was crucial in providing its 120 members with easy access to the club in Shearwater Drive.
“Referees come from the city and we have members coming from Berwick to play so it is much easier for them to use public transport,” Ms Jones said.
“We are very disappointed that this station has been delayed.”
Member for Gembrook Brad Battin said the mistake was due to an oversight from engineers that the previous Minister for Transport signed off on.
“We are targeting mid next year for the power to be in, but we will be pushing to see if it can be done more quickly,” Mr Battin said.
“This is a blow to the many families in the region who currently have to rely on two cars to get to work or school. Residents of Lakeside Pakenham, Officer and Cardinia have been waiting years for this station, and thanks to the former government’s incompetence, they could be waiting until mid next year.”
Member for Eastern Victoria Region and Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Edward O’Donohue said the previous government also forgot to provide adequate power to Lynbrook railway station.
“At the end of 2011 we will have two railway stations completed and ready to open, but not enough power for them to be used,” Mr O’Donohue said.
Shadow Transport Minister Fiona Richardson said it was time the Liberals got a move on.
“The contracts for the building program relating to the new station require Metro to arrange for electricity to be provided,” she said.
“It’s time that the Liberal Government stopped passing the buck and got on with the job of delivering on their promises.”