By Shaun Inguanzo
A RATEPAYER-funded bus tour of EastLink for Greater Dandenong school students and senior citizens has divided the council and sparked intense debate over the city’s use of public money.
Keysborough South Ward councillor Peter Brown put forward a notice of motion at Monday night’s meeting urging the council to charter two buses that would take school students and senior citizens end-to-end along EastLink on its opening date of 29 June.
Cr Brown argued that students and senior citizens who were unable to drive could still take part in the opening of EastLink, which he said was a “most significant” engineering feat.
“I think this is as substantial as the Westgate Bridge or the Sydney Harbour Bridge (in terms of openings),” he said.
Development services director Mal Baker said the council estimated the trip would cost ratepayers $1700.
Springvale South Ward councillor Yvonne Herring was opposed to the bus tour, questioning its benefit and whether the council should pay for it.
“It’s a great idea but it’s not up to the council to supply buses,” she said.
Noble Park North Ward councillor Maria Sampey supported Cr Herring, saying the tollway’s operator, ConnectEast, should fund the tour.
“(ConnectEast) needs to provide this as part of compensation for the inconvenience it put residents through regarding (the construction of) sound barriers,” she said.
But Cr Brown dismissed the notion as ‘prejudiced’ because it would be students and senior citizens – the community’s most vulnerable people – who would miss out on the tour.
Councillors voted in favour of the tour, seven votes to four.
Cr Brown’s notice of motion calls for co-sponsorship of the tour with ConnectEast.
Should ratepayers fund the EastLink bus tour? Tell us your thoughts by emailing editor@starnewsgroup.com.au, or writing to Letters to the Editor, Greater Dandenong Star, PO Box 9, Pakenham, Victoria, 3810.
