Mayor's message 2 March 2021

Published on 02 March 2021

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Maryborough Railway Station is iconic not only in our Shire but well beyond.

Many false rumours still persist to explain its grandness. In reality it was the result of strong advocacy from Duncan Gillies the former MP for Maryborough who later became Premier.

The Station is also a reminder of the importance of rail in Maryborough’s history and how busy Victorian rail once connected through Maryborough in many directions – a proud legacy indeed.

Today rail continues to be just as important to our future. Last week Council agreed to advocate for improvements to the passenger rail service commencing with weekend services on both days and also extending the services to Dunolly.

We know our existing services are not patronised as well as they should be, but it’s very difficult with such limited service times. Weekend services would also be a real boost to tourism and Covid Recovery.

We need to follow that with a second weekday train leaving Maryborough later in the morning and returning from Melbourne later in the evening. This would give us core service viability similar to the Ararat line which should be our goal. Activation of the Myki system for our sector would also create more convenient travel.

2020 marked ten years since passenger rail was reintroduced to Maryborough. Council believes it is time for the much needed additional services to now be implemented.

Let’s hope we have the success Duncan Gillies did through lobbying and create the passenger rail service our community wants and needs.

 

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