Golden Plains Shire Council has received funding from the Victorian Government to conduct a transport connections study.
The Golden Plains Transport Connections Study will help identify current and future transport needs in Golden Plains Shire. The study will be undertaken in the first half of 2022, and will include research and data collection, and engagement with key stakeholders to report on the existing and potential transport services, user demographics, journey purpose, costs, key barriers and how services are promoted.
Council has received $41,420 from the Department of Transport for the project, with Council contributing $10,000 and $31,574 in-kind to deliver the study.
Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble says Council is pleased to partner with the Victorian Government on this valuable report.
“Council is pleased to partner with the Victorina Government on this project and is excited to move forward with the Golden Plains Transport Connections Study, which will investigate the transport needs of our Shire and determine Council’s future approaches to advocating for improved options.
“Undertaking a Shire-wide study is a commitment in our Council Plan 2021-2025 and complements the Golden Plains Community Bus Trial which has run from July to December in the north and south of the Shire. The data and feedback from service users and residents will inform Council’s Community Transport Study in 2022.”
Community Bus Trial completed in December
The Golden Plains Community Bus Trial will end on Thursday 23 December 2021. There is still availability for the final runs in the north of the Shire on Thursdays, 16 and 23 December 2021 and in the south of the Shire on Tuesday 21 December. Bookings are essential: call 5220 7151.
In the south, the Golden Plains Community Bus service is provided in Teesdale, Inverleigh, Shelford, Bannockburn and Batesford, travelling to and from Geelong Waterfront every Tuesday. In the north, the bus service is provided in Linton, Scarsdale and Smythesdale, travelling to and from Delacombe Town Centre and Stockland Wendouree in Ballarat every Thursday.
The bus timetable and maps are available at Council’s website: goldenplains.vic.gov.au/community-bus and printed copies were distributed to stores and post offices across the Shire in July. The Golden Plains Community Bus service is operated under COVID-19 guidelines and all passengers must wear face masks.
A project of Council, the Golden Plains Community Bus trial is funded by the Victorian Government and a sponsorship from Buninyong & District Community Bank.
The Golden Plains Community Bus was also used to support community members to access free Vaccination Certificate Support sessions in Meredith and Haddon in November.