early warning systems

Earlier this week I went to a meeting organised by hills group, the Dandenong Ranges Community Bushfire Group, who were demonstrating the latest Early Warning System technologies.

The Group are looking for support for this infrastructure to be installed in the Dandenong Ranges. The system demonstrated is different to a typical siren system as it is voice enabled and runs via internet protocols.

The Early Warning System technology is an important part of the bushfire response, the government needs to work swiftly to investigate these modern alerting applications. We need to give fire prone communities as many options as we can to response to bushfire and Early Warning Systems are one of the tools available in response to an emergency.

The Greens support the introduction of Early Warning Systems and recognise the important role they play in assisting our communities.

samantha in the press - public transport

Has Brumby short-changed commuters on the Lilydale line?
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
15 Sep 10

samantha in the press – public transport

Party plans for better train links

Leader Newspapers

by Kimberley Seedy

8 Sep 2010

Click on image for story

buses and trains should meet

The Greens will establish a task force to coordinate bus timetables with trains and trams.

A recent study by the Public Transport Users Association shows the average wait between train and bus connections is between 11 and 20 minutes, however in the outer areas of Melbourne commuters know it can be as long as 60 minutes.

One of the easiest ways to speed up travel times is to tackle the disconnect between buses and trains, this would also relieve pressure on suburban railway car parking which is becoming a big problem across the region.

At the moment nobody has the job to coordinate between the trains and buses and there's no solution in sight. The Greens would establish a task force with access to the right tools and international expertise.

Long waits at stations make people feel unsafe and parents are also concerned about their teenagers waiting around for bus/train connections for long periods of time. Under the Greens plan the bus driver would be waiting for commuters as they get off the train.

At the coming state election, The Greens will seek a mandate to fix public transport, across Melbourne and across Victoria. We will create a powerful and accountable Public Transport Authority to plan, manage and integrate all public transport services across Victoria, it is long overdue.