Promises roll along

In the lead-up to the November State Election, each week the News will look at the different issues affecting the City of Casey. This week, Lia Bichel and Bridget Brady look at the transport needs and what the political parties are offering.
CLOGGED roads and packed trains are an everyday occurrence for Casey commuters.
With the population expected to soar, residents are demanding upgrades before things get worse.
One of the most talked about transport projects in Casey is the Cranbourne East Railway Station.
The Labor Government has promised the $200 million station, but commuters have been waiting years for its fruition.
Casey acting mayor Shar Balmes said a station at Cranbourne East was vital for a rapidly growing area, but said it was not closer to being built.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera said he hoped the station would be built in the next term if the Labor Party was re-elected.
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley said the Labor Party had a strong track record.
She said they have delivered a number of projects and if re-elected, would continue to invest in Casey.
“We are continuing this strong investment in local roads,” she said.
“We have already announced $55.6 million for the duplication of Clyde Road between High Street and Kangan Drive, as well as $35 million for the duplication of Hallam Road between Pound Road and Ormond Road.”
Liberal candidate for Narre Warren South Gary Rowe said the Liberal Party was also promising to duplicate and upgrade Hallam Road, from Pound Road to Ormond Road, complete the duplication of Clyde Road to High Street, and seek to include grade separation.
“In conjunction with the City of Casey and the Shire of Cardinia, we would fight for the widening of the Monash including widening and the upgrade of the Clyde Road interchange,” Mr Rowe said.
Ms Graley said the Labor Party had also invested heavily in public transport through the $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan, including new train services on Pakenham and Cranbourne line and extensions to railway station car parks at Berwick and Hallam stations.
“We have also announced an extension to the car park at Merinda Park Railway Station and an upgrade of Hallam Station to premium status, with staff at the station from first to last train,” Ms Graley said.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan said, if re-elected, the Labor government and would try to make trains safer by recruiting an extra 100 transit police to help patrol every metropolitan train line every night.
“A new metro Safety Control Centre will be established with 20 staff to actively monitor train stations at all times through more than 3000 CCTV cameras across the metropolitan rail network,” Mr Donnellan said.