The 17:20 Albury-Wodonga to Melbourne (via Seymour) V/Line service on Sunday was replaced by road coach. This then broke down at Chiltern station, leaving commuters to travel the rest of the way in a maxi taxi, a trip costing VLine – and therefore taxpayers – a huge $750.
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The replacement taxis only arrived at Chiltern station at 7:48, two hours after the train was due to stop at Chiltern. During this time, communication with commuters was non-existent, causing some to leave the coach and find their own transport, rather than wait for an indeterminent period of time for a replacement.
The V/Line website lists the Seymour line as having a "major disruption", forcing all trains off the rails and to be replaced by road coaches, and frankly, anyone who is travelling from the Border would be used to that. What we are not used to is those coaches then being replaced by taxis. If the taxis break down, what will V/Line send us? A horse and carriage?
If V/Line was aware enough of the disruption to list it on its website, you'd think there would be back up coaches. VLine's vision statement dreams of "a modern, high-performing railway and coach service for all". It's a beautiful dream, VLine, but doesn't seem achievable.
Sheridan Williams, Chiltern
Officers have discretion
I would like to thank all the residents, boat owners, visitors, business leaders and local elected representatives for participating in our recent community information sessions on the proposed waterway restrictions on the stretch of Murray River from Corowa to Bundalong.
Roads and Maritime seeks to manage and regulate waterway activity to achieve definable positive outcomes, in the case of this draft proposal – safety and environmental outcomes. This draft proposal aims to achieve two distinct outcomes. One is to address the destructive impact of perpendicular high-energy wash action along a susceptible narrow stretch of the Murray River between South Corowa to the Ovens River junction near Bundalong. The second goal is to ensure this stretch of the river is available to be used safely by a diverse range of waterway activities.
A hypothetical situation raised at the meeting involved a tinny that may be towing a child on a wake board and the question was raised about whether this would be an offence under the proposed plan.
The tinny scenario is entirely typical of such a situation where Boating Safety Officers have the necessary expertise and discretion to make an assessment. In this particular case, I would contend that if the tinny was not being loaded nor driven in a manner to enhance or produce wash, my officers would be unlikely to penalise this activity. Exercising discretion such as this is our core business.
I would like to emphasise that all vessels will continue to be permitted to use this stretch of the river, and there are no plans to implement restrictions on any other form of boating activity in this area. This plan aims to ensure boating along the Murray River can continue to flourish and can be enjoyed by many now and in the future.
Waterway activity along rivers such as this are the lifeblood for local communities, it is important that agencies like mine do all in their power to ensure it remains so for generations to come.