THE troubled V/Line passenger rail service and a lack of adequate mobile phone and broadband services appear to be the biggest problems facing North East residents.
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The two issues headed feedback sought by the member for Indi Cathy McGowan through her Kitchen Table Conversations and postcards sent to households over recent months.
More than 600 residents responded to each process.
One conversationalist described the railway service to Melbourne as the "biggest scandal in the country".
"It's like getting on Puffing Billy without the smoke,” they commented in reference to the historic Melbourne steam train.
Others stated the poor internet service was making it "extremely difficult to run a business" and driving children away from the area.
Ms McGowan launched the results of the Kitchen Table Conversations at the Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre on Sunday afternoon.
She told an audience of about 80 that there needs to be a "community will" to solve the difficulties facing Indi.
Ms McGowan acknowledged she had vowed to improve the rail service which is blighted by poor service, dated rolling stock and track problems.
"It was my commitment to do something about the trains, but sadly it hasn't been as quick and easy as one would have hoped,” Ms McGowan said.
Speaking afterwards to The Border Mail, Ms McGowan said at the time of the 2013 election campaign she did not know the full situation facing the North East line.
"When I first stood I didn't realise there wasn't a plan, there wasn't a budget, there wasn't a timeline,” Ms McGowan said.
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