By Brendan Rees
A not-for-profit group in Narre Warren helping improve the lives of young people has pleaded for a bus service to run along Victor Crescent.
A petition of 288 signatures was presented to Casey Council at a 1 October meeting from members of the headspace Narre Warren Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) who are calling for the bus stop.
In their submission to council, the petition said the nearest bus service was at Overland Drive at Fountain Gate Shopping Centre about a kilometre away, and 1.5km to Narre Warren railway station.
Workers at headspace argue this can often lead to people walking in the dark and in poor weather.
“The distance could be a deterrent for people having mental health issues getting support from headspace and other services in area,” YAC representatives said.
Speaking at the council meeting Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon tabled the petition, saying council would advocate to the State Government for a bus service.
Cr Stapledon said closer public transport was not only crucial for headspace but for other support services nearby such as NDIS and Casey North Community Information and Support Service.
“You’ve got people that are struggling emotionally and financially … and they might not be able to drive,” she said.
“If it’s a major precinct for employment but also for really essential services why wouldn’t we have a bus running along there?”
Cr Stapledon gave an example of a woman who had broke her leg in the area which could’ve be avoided if closer public transport was available.
The team at Headspace, a place where young people can access low cost or free help, for a range of health and wellbeing problems, say their clients have also thrown their support behind the petition.
“Some members of the YAC also access headspace services and either walk long distances or take public transport to gain mental health support,” YAC team members said.
“Council has been supportive of this initiative and enthusiastic about what we are hoping to achieve with getting a bus service along Victor Crescent,” they said.
Council will arrange a meeting with a local MP and members of the YAC team as soon as possible.
A report will come back to council once progress has been achieved.
