Mayor Bob Flowers welcomed approximately 30 people to the official launch of the Murrindindi Transport Connections project at the Thornton Hall, in Thornton today.

Mayor Flowers highlighted the importance of connecting communities across the Murrindindi Shire.

Mr. David Hall, from Berry Street Victoria in Alexandra, long-time resident and a Murrindindi Transport Connections committee member, highlighted issues of disadvantage across the rural shire, the issues of distance, cost and accessibility and was pleased to see the project providing an opportunity to address this disadvantage.

Mr. Ben Hardman, Member for Seymour and Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, officially launched the Murrindindi Transport Connections project, confirming funds of just over $311,000 dollars would be allocated to the project over three years. In launching the initiative, Mr. Hardman thanked hard-working members of the community, representatives from Council, Education, Transport and other community groups for their work in designing the project.

Mr. Hardman pointed out the additional benefits the project would make to local businesses [for example]and the potential for employees to gain benefits by having better access to jobs across the district that would be more accessible, having transport connections better tuned to their needs.

It was also pointed out that a number of attendees at the launch, attended via courtesy of the Yea Community Bus.

Transport Connections helps communities find practical solutions to improve existing transport services.

This is achieved by:

• bringing community groups and organisations, individuals, transport providers and local businesses together to develop tailored transport solutions
• making better use of existing transport resources (public and private) through new and coordinated approaches

The statewide Transport Connections will allocate $14.15 million to about 30 projects in rural and regional Victoria and metropolitan interface areas.

Our Murrindindi Transport Connections project is one of these 30 projects.

Transport Connections is a joint initiative of the Department for Victorian Communities, Department of Infrastructure, Department of Human Services and Department of Education and Training.

It builds on the success of a three-year pilot where nine Transport Connections projects were funded across Victoria.

The Central Ranges LLEN is a proud supporter and member of the Transport Connections Committee.

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