A six point plan for better Public Transport

Samantha Dunn – Upper House candidate for Eastern Victoria
29 October 2010

“People on the fringe and in regional Victoria are sick and tired of a failing public transport system, this issue comes up time and time again out on the campaign trail, “said Samantha Dunn, Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria at the launch of the Greens Six Point Plan to Fix Public Transport.

“It is the Greens who are strongly committed to fast, frequent, well connected, safe and accessible public transport for Victoria. A key step in achieving that is the establishment of an independent and accountable Public Transport Authority,” Samantha said.

“There’s a myriad of agencies connected to the provision of public transport, The Greens would abolish these bureaucracies and transfer their powers and funding, but not necessarily their staff, to the new Public Transport Authority.”

Under the Greens plan urgent problems needing immediate action would be tackled, buses, rail, myki and a future growth taskforce all in the mix.

V/Line was taken back into public hands in 2003. Until recently, it operated in limbo, as the Bracks and Brumby governments tried to devise a way to reprivatise it. As a result, there has been little long-term planning. It needs reform, rather than wholesale replacement.

“There needs to be a concerted effort to integrate our regional transport and devise an integrated rail-bus network connecting regional Victorians to local, inter-regional and Melbourne destinations. This includes a staged program for track duplications, electrification and standardisation to allow for additional services across regional Victoria,” Samantha concluded.

The Greens Six Point Plan to Fix Public Transport:
1. End the failed privatisation experiment
2. Establish a powerful, accountable public transport authority
3. Fixing urgent problems
4. Make public transport safe
5. Extend rail and tram systems
6. Integrated public transport for regional Victoria

For the detailed plan click here.

that's not a beach, it's an embankment

Samantha Dunn - candidate for Eastern Victoria

Anton Vigenser - candidate for Nepean

28 October 2010

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

..

.

Samantha Dunn and Anton Vigenser, the swells now being experiences at Portsea beach have turned it into an ocean beach, I wouldn't let my young son in the water here anymore.

.

“Recent erosion at Portsea Beach demands serious study by Government and the Port of Melbourne Corporation,” says Anton Vigenser, Greens candidate for Nepean.

“The beach is now looking worse than when the erosion began. The area has become a construction zone with all the associated rubbish. Wire, plastic and materials that can cause harm to marine wildlife are lying on the beach. With summer one month away the pressure to ‘fix’ the beach is mounting. Corners cannot be cut.”

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

,

Portsea beach has changed from a beautiful bay beach to a man made construction zone, no longer a beach in the true sense, it's more like an embankment.

.

Greens Candidate for Eastern Victoria, Samantha Dunn said “The changes are recent and aren't because of seasonal storms, locals report to me we’ve seen our beach and the bay change before our very eyes.”

“Locals and tourists are gob-smacked. Our once natural beach is now fast becoming ‘man-made’. Many are seriously worried about the scale and planning behind the earth works, and doubt it will even work,” Anton Vigenser said.

“Sue Pennicuik, Greens upper house MP released a report which analysed tidal data from the Port of Melbourne and the research supports what so many residents, swimmers, divers and other businesses in the southern part of part Phillip Bay have been reporting since channel deepening: that tides are higher in the south of the Bay.”

“Despite this, the Port Authority still denies any links, pointing the finger solely at weather. Preliminary analysis of wind data from the past ten years suggests that wind beach erosion, particularly at Portsea was not caused by seasonal weather events alone.”

“A lack of evidence is not a reason to dismiss the erosion. The government was warned by scientists at the time. The government picked and chose what to use in the Environmental Effects Statement. Now our beaches are under increased threat.”

“The surging swells at Portsea have impacted our tourism industry, and will make it less safe for swimming this summer. Swell will also be the greatest problem to overcome when attempting to fix our beach,” Anton Vigenser said, “This is a burden that has cost our community more than just money.”

“We desperately need more data about tides, swells, currents and weather events,to know for certain what is happening,” said Samantha Dunn , “The tragedy is the five metres of sea bed and rock can't be replaced at the entrance and Port Phillip Bay and Portsea Front Beach may be permanently damaged".

samantha in the press - public transport

Ticket to ride
Upper Yarra and Mountain Views Mail
by Kath Gannaway
26 Oct 2010

it's got to stop joe

Earlier this week I joined with community members outside the offices of Joe Helper, Minister for Agriculture and in charge of VicForests, to protest to the ongoing logging in the Central Highlands, I was there representing the Shire of Yarra Ranges (I am a councillor there).

The Shire of Yarra Ranges council is opposed to the logging of Melbourne's water catchments and is also opposed to logging where it has significant effects on the local economy, tourism features and the environment. Thanks to Brent Lukey for the image.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The protest was to highlight the ongoing destruction caused by logging burnt and green forests in the Central Highlands, an already fragile environment due to the Black Saturday fires.

Much wood has been logged after the fires, causing untold damage to the forest. Local residents angry about the constant stream of logging trucks on roads, angry about logging on prominent ridgelines in tourist towns and angry that the forests haven't been given a chance to regenerate naturally.

Thanks to Brent Lukey for this image.

Logging has also occurred in the Armstrong Catchment, one of Melbourne's closed water catchments, contrary to the advice given in the BAER report (a report from experts about how to best to deal with environmental impacts post fire).

Huw Slater, Greens candidate for Seymour, was there too.

The BAER report urged conservation action for a number of endangered species at risk, warned against salvage logging and also stated that no more than 236 hectares of burnt forest should be salvage logged. Contrary to this advice the government allowed more than 10 times this amount of forest to be logged setting our endangered species on a short trail to extinction.

The Greens want to see an end to industrial scale logging of our native forests. The role the forests play in securing water, storing carbon and maintaining a healthy biodiversity is far more critical than logging the forests for woodchips.

It was good to see today that the CFMEU agrees that there needs to be transition out of native forests and in to plantations. Plantation timbers can supply our timber needs and the Greens support a proper transition to assist those workers, their families and communities to move from native forest logging to plantation timber.

a public transport plan for the east

I joined with Greg Barber MLC, Greens spokesperson for Public Transport, and Damian Magner, Greens candidate for Eastern Metropolitan to launch the Greens Public Transport Plan for the East of Melbourne at a mock station in Doncaster.

Pictured left to right: Samantha Dunn - Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria, Greg Barber MLC - Greens spokesperson for Public Transport and Damian Magner - Greens candidate for Eastern Metropolitan. It's a disgrace that commuters in the outer east have to wait 30 minutes for train services and up to an hour for connecting bus services, The Greens are committed to fast, frequent, well connected, safe and accesible public transport.

It was a fitting place for the launch, at the old council offices, built in 1892, sited there as it would be right on the railway line, the people of Doncaster have been waiting for their railway line ever since.

Initiatives in the plan that specifically cover Eastern Victoria include:
>Duplication of the single track sections of the Lilydale and Belgrave Lines (the Belgrave line will be limited to Upper Ferntree Gully due to significant topograhical constraints and environmental impacts)
>Triplication of the Box Hill to Ringwood line - this will allow more express services to Lilydale and Belgrave
>A new train station at Hull & Mooroolbark Rds on the Lilydale line
>Implementation of all of the recommendations of the Bus Service Review
>Ensuring all vehicles and stations are fully accessible to all
>Establishing a Public Transport Authority to plan, manage and integrate all public transport services across Victoria

If you'd like to know more about the Greens Public Transport Plan for the East, click here.

Public transport neglect

Samantha Dunn – Upper House candidate for Eastern Victoria
20 October 2010



















“It is scandalous that commuters in the East have to wait 30 to 40 minutes in the off peak time for a train and in some cases over an hour for a connecting bus service, this shambolic service has enormous impact on the quality of life for residents in the outer east, “said Samantha Dunn, Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria, at the Eastern Transport Coalition Public Transport Forum held in Mooroolbark.

“It is the Greens who are strongly committed to fast, frequent, well connected, safe and accessible public transport for the East. It’s important that duplication to single track sections of the Lilydale and Belgrave lines are completed and that rail crossings are removed as they impact on the smooth running of frequent rail services,” Samantha said.

“The Greens support raising basic minimum standards for frequency and span of hours for all bus routes, not just those close to the city.”

“We see considerable inequities in public transport ticketing with the Country Fare along the Upper Yarra corridor, the Greens believe in fair and equitable access to public transport and will work to abolish this inequity for these communities.”

“Public transport should be integrated, buses should meet trains, even simple things like header boards at Belgrave and Lilydale station so the bus drivers know which train is arriving. It’s difficult for them to tell with train delays which train is actually arriving and which passengers they’re supposed to be connecting with.”

“The Greens do have a well considered plan for the people of the East, we know that it is important to get our public transport system working well to respond to the challenges of an aging population, peak oil and climate change. We aren’t wedded to the fossil fuel lobby, cars and freeways as a solution.”

samantha in the press - logging

Timber industry worried they will become a bargaining chip
ABC Gippsland
by Cath McAloon
20 Oct 2010

samantha visits stratford

I was great to join with Greens candidate for South Gippsland, Kate Jackson, at Earthfest in Stratford. People came from near and far to learn more about sustainability and land management.

The Greens had a stand there, locals were keen to chat about our policies and were pleased to see election candidates visit their area.

It was great to see waterways full and pastures lush, it's a great part of Victoria and plays a key role in our agricultural production.

greens commit to ringwood station upgrade

It was terrific to hear Greens candidates commit to the upgrade of the Ringwood Station at a public transport candidate forum this week.

Ringwood Station is well overdue for an upgrade, it's ramps don't comply with DDA requirements making it near impossible for people with a disability to negotiate the station with dignity.

Pictured left to right: Damian Magner - Greens Candidate for Eastern Metropolitan, Samantha Dunn - Greens Candidate for Eastern Victoria, Cr Alex Makin - Mayor, City of Maroondah and Margaret Stephens - long time community advocate for accessible public transport with the missing piece of the public transport jigsaw in Ringwood.


The functionality and accessibility of Ringwood station plays a key role in enhancing travel along the Lilydale and Belgrave lines as it is a key interchange station between to two lines

The Greens are committed to a fast, frequent and well connected public transport system. Accessible, safe and fully staffed railway stations play a key role in that.

Upon hearing the announcement, Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin said, "I am absolutely delighted The Greens have pledged their support to transform Ringwood Station into an accessible, safe and integrated public transport hub."

Time to put real funding towards mental health

Samantha Dunn – Upper House candidate for Eastern Victoria
13 October 2010

Almost half the population will experience a mental health disorder at some time in their life, but the funding to address this critically important area is totally inadequate according to Samantha Dunn, Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria after attending a Mental Health Week event in Lilydale.

“We know that up to 50% of substance abuse problems in young people are preceded by mental illness, we need to break the cycle, invest in the future of our society and start to put some badly needed resources into mental health services.”

Only around one third of people with a mental illness use health services for their mental health problem.

“We need a significant boost in the mental health budget with a focus on community prevention, recovery centres and early intervention programs,” said Samantha.

“The Greens will prioritise badly needed early intervention services as advocated by Australian of the Year, Professor Patrick McGorry, ” concluded Samantha

harnessing a proud past to build a sustainable future

Samantha Dunn – Upper House candidate for Eastern Victoria
10 October 2010

“The Latrobe Valley has a proud tradition of delivering reliable energy supply to Victorians. The Greens want to build on that tradition and take it forward to meet the challenges posed by climate change and embrace opportunities and benefits for the Valley and the rest of Victoria,” said Samantha Dunn, Greens Upper House Candidate for Eastern Victoria at a community action outside Hazelwood Power Station today.

Samantha Dunn marching towards Hazelwood Power Station to deliver a statement provided by Greens Senator, Christine Milne.

People from across Victoria came to Hazelwood today in support of change. “We know there must be a transition from coal fired power to renewable energy, our focus must be on zero emissions and we only have a few decades to achieve that,” said Samantha.

Other Greens candidates were there, pictured here from left to right are: Janet Rice - Footscray, Nick Carson - Doncaster, Samantha Dunn - Eastern Victoria and James Earle - Eltham.

“The fundamental driver to change is achieving real targets that will reverse our ever increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The Greens are committed to targets that will drive changes and improvements across our economy to
protect the planet from irreversible damage. We want to see a 40% reduction of emissions by 2020 and zero emissions by 2050.”

Part of the day included a "human solar array", concentrated solar thermal is currently providing base load energy in other countries.

“It is the Greens who have the political will to secure a sustainable and just future for all Victorians. It is the Greens who are committed to workers and their families and we bring that proud record to the Latrobe Valley. Together, we can change and improve Victoria’s energy industry for the benefitof the Valley and all Victorians,” concluded Samantha.

desalination will cost us dearly

Samantha Dunn – Upper House candidate for Eastern Victoria
Neil Rankine – Lower House candidate for Bass

“The only time the true price of desal water will be revealed to Melburnians, is when it arrives on their bills,” said Greens upper house candidate Samantha Dunn as she joined with Neil Rankine, candidate for Bass on the steps of parliament at Watershed Victoria's, 'Scrap the Desal' rally. “Only then will Victorians realise they’ve been duped by Brumby and his Ministers into believing the desalination plant is the answer to Melbourne’s water woes”, said Samantha.














Samantha Dunn and Neil Rankine at the Scrap the Desal Rally on the steps on parliament.

The Greens know there are much better options for securing water for Melbourne, it rains more in Melbourne than what Melburnians consume. A recent 2007 study found “rainwater tanks are five times more energy efficient than desalination plants. Most Australian houses are suitable for a rainwater tanks and in Melbourne 72% of existing houses have potential for a rainwater tank whilst fewer than 6% of the houses in Melbourne have water tanks.”



















From left to right: Sue Pennicuik - Greens MLC for Southern Metropolitan, Samantha Dunn - Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria, Greg Barber - Greens MLC for Northern Metropolitan and Neil Rankine - Greens candidate for Bass.

“People are starting to realise that the government is making us pay dearly for fresh water, produced in the most expensive and carbon intense way, only to have it flushed down our toilets. There is more than enough recycled water available to flush every toilet in Melbourne and run most businesses, but at the moment this precious resource is being flushed out to sea”, said Mr Rankine.

The Greens have a sensible water policy to secure Melbourne’s future water supply. Water conservation, re-use and recycling should be prioritised over energy and capital-intensive strategies such as seawater desalination or long-distance pumping. It is possible for our cities and towns to use a diverse range of water sources including tanks, urban storm water and recycled wastewater, to achieve water supply security and waterway health.

“We can pay out the Brumby government's contracts with the desalination consortium, secure our water supplies and still be better off, according to Kenneth Davidson, former economics editor for The Age newspaper. Water supplies can be secured from recycling already underway and from stormwater harvesting projects as upgrades to Melbourne's stormwater infrastructure is undertaken”, said Mr Rankine.

The desalination plant will create 1.2million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions during operation. It will generate an additional 70,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing waste from the plant. It will intake 380,000 small marine organisms per second whilst discharging 8,800 litres of brine per second.

“Not only is this an economic disaster for the family budget it is an environmental disaster for Victoria’s coastline,” said Samantha.

“The desalination plant will cost tax payers dearly. Not only in a $5.1 billion construction bill and escalating water costs. It will dump 50,000 tonnes of toxic waste every year and secure big profits for overseas companies - why would we want it?” concluded Samantha.

samantha in the press - fire preparedness

Warning Call
Mail Newspapers
by Casey Neill
5 Oct 2010