In September 2004 an Alliance was formed with the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) and the City of Whittlesea Ratepayers Association (COWRA) to campaign for the extension of the rail line to South Morang. The Mernda and District Residents Association (MADRA) subsequently joined the Alliance in February 2005. An Action Plan has been developed which features:
-Ongoing meetings between members of the Alliance
-A series of Public meetings
-Petitions to state parliament
-A media campaign leading up to the next state election
-Lobbying of local MP’s, the Minister for Transport and Opposition members, and
-Developing a network of supporting organisations and key individuals
The Association supports the City of Whittlesea in it's desire to have this work proceed as soon as possible and collected 3,671 signatures on a petition which was presented to the state parliament by Lily D'Ambrosio MP for Mill Park on the 01 April 2004.
Key Facts about the Extension of the Epping Rail Line to South Morang
1999 The Bracks Labor opposition announced in its election campaign that it would extend the Epping rail line to South Morang
2000 The Department of Infrastructure commenced a feasibility study into this project
2002 The Whittlesea Strategic Transport Infrastructure Study, a joint project between the Department of Infrastructure, Vic Roads and the City of Whittlesea was released. The number 1 priority was the extension of the Epping Line to South Morang.
2003 The Department of Infrastructure completed it’s feasibility study and made representations for funding in the 2003-04 state budget, estimated cost $35-40 million
2003 The Minister for Transport released the North Poll report which indicated that:
1. 58% of people in the north thought the current rail network was an effective way of getting around the northern region
2. Only 37% of people in the north thought buses were an effective way of getting round the northern region
2003 The joint statement of priorities by the Whittlesea, Darebin, Hume and Moreland Councils indicated that increased investment in urban rail has strong public support at 83.7%
2004 Councillors from the City of Whittlesea announce a major campaign to work with community groups and local residents to achieve the rail extension.
2004 Melbourne 2030, a statement of government policy intentions was released identifying the rail extension to South Morang as still awaiting funding.
Dec 2004 Mr Batchelor announces that a rail extension might not be viable for another 10 years
2005 Government extends Trainlink for a further 4 years without conducting a review as promised
2005 The Rail Alliance releases Evaluation of Clifton Hill Rail Group Review
2006 Government releases 'Transport and Liveability Statement' showing the South Morang Extension will no longer be occuring until 2021 under a Bracks Labor Government
2006 NEITS draft report released for evaluation by the public, stating it agrees with the Clifton Hill Rail Group review in that the extension should not go ahead until 2021. This is despite the fact that it was reported numerous times in the report, the public, local councils, and community groups need the extension immediately.
2006 Greens and People Power make it policy that the rail extension be built immediately. Leader of the Opposition, Mr Ted Baillieu met with SMRA on the site of the proposed station, to listen to community concern about the lack of this essential service.
2006 Public Rally held on the site of the proposed station at South Morang, attended by representatives of all parties that contested the state election. Labor remained committed delivering the extension in 2021.
2007 Federal treasurer Mr Peter Costello and member for McEwen Ms Fran Bailey announce they will provide $80 million for road works to enable the Epping railway line to be extended not only to South Morang, but to Mernda as well
2008 State Government adopts 2005 the South Morang Rail Alliance recommendation to reverse the direction of the Epping/Hurstbridge trains in the City Loop in the morning.
2008 State Government announces $10.4 million over 2 years to to determine the full scope and cost of the rail extension before works commence.
The government has broken its promise
The response from the government so far in relation to its 1999 promise is that it has launched an $800,000 per year new Route 571 Trainlink bus service on the 08 December 2003 operating between the Epping Railway station and the Westfield shopping centre in MacDonalds Road. Less than 10% of the population of South Morang is serviced by this bus route.
The proposed location for the new rail station for South Morang is on the land on the corner between the Coles New World shopping centre in MacDonalds Road and the entrance to the City of Whittlesea Council chambers.
FOSM is determined to continue the campaign with its Alliance partners and will not let the matter rest. You, as a visitor to this site, need to have your say.
Consistent with FOSM's objectives, the rail extension is needed to
* Serve the growing area of South Morang which is estimated by the government’s own figures to reach a total population of 23,971 by 2016 up from 2824 in 1996.
* Reduce dependence on cars to avoid current peak hour delays in Plenty Road and to reduce pollution and protect the local environment
* Provide public transport access by local residents to employment, recreation, leisure, shopping, cultural and sporting events both locally, in other suburbs and in the city.
* Support the development of local employment opportunities for new businesses which are to be encouraged to establish themselves in the Council zoned area to the north and south of MacDonalds Road where it intersects with Plenty Road and Gorge Road. It is anticipated that this will provide many new jobs when completed so a rail link is essential.
* The rail extension to South Morang needs to go in before the population reaches it’s peak otherwise residents will already have reliance on cars and won’t use the rail service. This is a view shared by Council and the Department of Infrastructure.
* The $800,000 pa bus link between Epping station and Coles New World in MacDonalds Road and the Riverside estate in South Morang is not a substitute for the rail extension, is not supported by the North Poll results and is useful only as an adjunct to the rail extension. However, much work needs to be done to make this bus service more user friendly to residents and FOSM will be working with the relevant authorities to ensure this happens.
Our Association is very concerned at recent attempts by our local MP's Lily D'Ambrosio and Danielle Green to link patronage of the Route 571 Trainlink bus service to whether or not the rail extension goes ahead. This is a clear breach of the government's promise. We need the extension to start now!!!
What can you do?
Therefore all FOSM members, residents and visitors to this webpage are asked to contact by formal letter, or phone or email any or all of the following and:
1. Express your desire for the extension of the rail line to be funded in the next state budget
2. Your anger/concern that the government has not honoured its 1999 election promise to build the extension
3. Your voting intentions on the matter at the next election, and
4. Encourage all your friends and relatives to do the same. Remember, by having your say you can make a difference.
The Hon. John Brumby
Premier of Victoria
GPO Box 4912VV
Melbourne
Vic….3001
Tel: 96515111
Email: premier@dpc.vic.gov.au
Lynne Kosky MP
Minister for Transport
GPO Box 279Y
Melbourne
Victoria….3001
Tel: 96558683
Email: Lynne.Kosky@parliament.vic.gov.au
Danielle Green MP
Member for Yan Yean
10/1 The Promenade
Mill Park Lakes
South Morang Vic…3752
Tel: 94083833
Email: danielle.green@parliament.vic.gov.au
Lily D’Ambrosio
Member for Mill Park
6 May Road
Lalor
Vic…3075
Tel: 94659033
Email: lily.dambrosio@parliament.vic.gov.au
Ted Baillieu
Leader of the Opposition
Parliament House
Spring Street
Melbourne
Vic....3002
Tel:9882 4088
Email: ted.baillieu@parliament.vic.gov.au
Terry Mulder MLA
Shadow Minister for Transport
115A Bromfield Street
Colac
Vic...3250
Tel: 52315046
Email: terry.mulder@parliament.vic.gov.au
This is FOSM Inc home page
This provides details of our membership profile
This page will tell you what FOSM Inc stands for
A link to our local government web site
The home page for the Ratepayers Association of Whittlesea
Provides details of Transport infrastructure priorities and programs
The Public Transport User's Association
FOSM has formed an Alliance with the PTUA to campaign for the extension of the Epping rail line to South Morang as promised by the state government in 1999
Morang South Primary School Community Service Scholarship
Gives details of FOSM's Community Service Scholarship program and the current winner
Trainlink Bus Service Route 571
This bus service is no substitute for the rail extension and services less than 10% of the population of South Morang
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The former Minister for Transport could find time to take a ride on 'Puffing Billy' but never honoured his promise to build the Epping rail extension to South Morang in the first term of the Labor government, namely from 1999. 
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We want direct access by rail to the city for education, sport, recreation and leisure for residents of South Morang and the City of Whittlesea as promised by the state government in 1999
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Over 70% of residents of the City of Whittlesea do not have direct rail access to the city for sporting events like the Grand Prix. We want the Epping line extended to South Morang as promised.
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Other municipalities have excellent pubclic transport systems including bus, train and trams like the ones pictured. The City of Whittlesea has only 5km of tram lines which stop at Bundoora. This is another reason why we need the rail extension to South Morang.
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