In his monthly report to council, Cr O’Connor says a proposal for at least five services to Melbourne on newer, faster trains should be the aim for the region. 

His comments come after Warrnambool City Council mayor Michael Neoh and chief executive officer Bruce Anson met with public transport minister Jacinta Allan to discuss the possibility of an additional service between Warrnambool and Geelong, with connections to existing Geelong to Melbourne rail services. 

In his report, Cr O’Connor says extensive work was done with the previous coalition government to integrate connecting services and explore timetables that would better suit travellers, eventually leading to a re-election commitment of more services along the line. 

“After the Andrews government was elected, the project lost some momentum.

“Public transport is more difficult in rural areas, because we don’t have the economy scale to make it work. 

“But in Corangamite, our major public transport is our train service. 

“It’s a significant asset to our whole region and one that is well utilised and supported.”

He says extra services would have the potential to improve access to education between Colac and Warrnambool as travel is a “great deterrent” for study and training, particularly for rural students. 

Cr O’Connor says the government has the opportunity to add a fourth service to the line without needing major infrastructure upgrades or new rolling stock. 

“The Andrews government was elected on a platform of improving public transport and also promised to govern for the whole state. 

“There is an opportunity for the south-west to have improved services without additional costs, something that is unusual and easy to achieve.

“Corangamite should continue to support the Great South Coast Group in their push to convince the state government of the benefits for a speedy integration of a new train service.”

Tuesday night’s meeting at Camperdown’s Killara Centre will also include council’s response to the federal and state budgets as well as various policy updates. 

Tenders for the new Terang Children’s Centre will be discussed in confidential business.

jwoolley@fairfaxmedia.com.au