SEATS visits Pakenham

THE South East Australian Transport Strategy (SEATS) will meet in Pakenham on Friday.
SEATS also will meet at Dandenong tomorrow.
SEATS chairman, NSW councillor Sue Whelan, said the meeting would set the agenda in the lead-up to elections to ensure that all major political parties understood the regions’ transport infrastructure needs.
However, Cardinia mayor Bill Ronald said council had not been aware of or involved in SEATS until it received a request to host the meeting. Cr Ronald said council had made the civic centre available for the meeting.
“It is significant that we were asked to host the meeting in view of our non-involvement, but we should be involved.
“It is a feather in Cardinia’s cap to host this meeting,” he said.
Cr Whelan said SEATS was highly regarded in all government arenas.
She said it had enjoyed several successes, including starting the Gippsland Transport Strategy Study and funding for several Princes Highway improvements, including the Pakenham Bypass.
It is vital that our member councils and organisations vigorously pursue these transport infrastructure issues during the next year to 18 months as we come up to elections in Victoria and nationally.
“This part of Victoria is a high-growth area, among the highest in Australia. We must ensure that our needs are known by all political parties and that these matters are on their agendas as they seek our vote in the upcoming elections.
SEATS’ strength is that it represents councils and other organisations from Nowra in New South Wales to Dandenong.
“We are a powerful advocate for transport infrastructure and policy issues. SEATS, and its constituent members, will continue to put community concerns to government,” Cr Whelan said.
Nearly 40 delegates from southeastern NSW, the north-eastern region and Gippsland will attend the meetings.
Cr Whelan said industry and business groups would have an opportunity to put their concerns to SEATS at a breakfast meeting to be held on Friday.