Comment sought from central and SE wheatbelt on transport options

30/7/94

People in the central and south-east wheatbelt will have the chance to comment on future transport options for the area.

A public discussion paper on the topic, prepared by the Department of Transport, is available and a meeting to discuss its findings will be held in the region next month.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton urged all interested individuals and groups to attend the meeting, to be held in the Corrigin Town Hall on Monday, August 15, between 1 pm and 4.30 pm.

The discussion paper was part of a study commissioned by the Minister last year in response to local concerns about the future of rail services and other transport issues in the central south-east wheatbelt.

The study has proposed several alternatives, ranging from the construction of a new and more direct rail link between the area and the port at Kwinana, to closing down most of the existing rail network in the region and switching grain transport to road.

"I would encourage people to come to the meeting and discuss these proposals," Mr Charlton said.

"It is vital for the future development of transport in this important region that we get the planning right.

"Local people must be partners with the Government in this type of decision-making."

Media contact:   Dean Roberts 321 7333