Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder today announced the names of the independent chair and community members of the Regional Rail Link Community Reference Group (CRG).

Mr Mulder said the announcement was a significant step in the progress of the project with the group being a key link to the community.

“The CRG will play an important role in providing information about the project to residents, businesses, interest and industry groups, as well as feed back any issues or concerns to the project team,” Mr Mulder said.

“The CRG involves local community representatives creating a direct line of communication between the project team and the community.”

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Anthony Albanese, said members of the group were selected based on their linkages with local people and ability to represent a broad range of views.

“It is pleasing to have such a diverse and dedicated group committed to working towards the success of the project,” Mr Albanese said.

“Regional Rail Link will benefit both regional and metropolitan train passengers, which is why it is so important community members have direct involvement in helping to shape the project.”

The group will be chaired by Mr John A Nicol who is currently serving as chairperson of the Victorian Desalination Project Community Liaison Group and who served as chairperson of the EastLink Community Reference Group.

Mr Nicol is a qualified Civil Engineer and Executive Director of the Nicol Group and brings with him a wealth of experience from previous roles.

Seven representatives have been selected to represent the local community including

• 
  
  Mr Hugh Oates (Maribyrnong)
  
  


• 
  
  Mr David Anderson (Brimbank)
  
  


• 
  
  Ms Leah-anne Howie (Ballarat)
  
  


• 
  
  Mr Vincent Nally (Bendigo)
  
  


• 
  
  Mr Ian Westerland (Geelong)
  
  


• 
  
  Mr Peter Maynard (Wyndham)
  
  


• 
  
  Mr Graham Hooper (Moorabool)
  
  

You can contact the CRG community representatives by emailing RRL-CRG@transport.vic.gov.au. Your email will be directed to your nominated recipient.

Also invited to sit on the group are representatives from the Regional Rail Link Authority, project contractors and relevant councils including:

• Melbourne


• Melton


• Maribyrnong


• Brimbank


• Geelong


• Ballarat


• Bendigo


• Wyndham

Regional Rail Link is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian governments.

The project will provide capacity for enough extra trains for thousands more passengers across the Melbourne and country rail networks in the peak period.

More information on the project can be found at www.transport.vic.gov.au/rrl