Working Woodend

Greens lead senate candidate, Janet Rice, and candidate for Bendigo, Lachlan Slade, in Woodend on Wednesday.

Greens lead senate candidate, Janet Rice, and candidate for Bendigo, Lachlan Slade, hit the campaign trail in Woodend on Wednesday, focusing on planning issues and the fears many residents hold that their community will be absorbed into Melbourne's suburban sprawl.

Mr Slade explained he wants to see Woodend keep its charm and beauty and remain a welcoming place to live, work and visit.

"I work here and love the place. The peace, tranquillity and atmosphere of the Macedon Ranges beats many places in Victoria," Mr Slade said. 

"I want to see sensible planning decisions made to ensure Woodend keeps its village lifestyle, ensuring access to the best facilities and services.

"Individuals and families move here to enjoy the lifestyle and community, all the while being surrounded by stunning mountain forests, not to see Woodend become an outer suburb of Melbourne."

Ms Rice is a strategic transport planning consultant, former councillor and mayor of the City of Maribyrnong, and former chair of the Metropolitan Transport Forum.

"People-friendly green development and safe streets mean people can get around by walking, cycling, and public transport," Ms Rice said. 

"Public transport creates healthier communities and connects people to vital services like health and education."

Mr Slade said the policies of both the Labor and Liberal parties would see Woodend become an outer suburb through sprawl and planning policies that do nothing to protect the parks and other natural areas that make the Macedon Ranges a special place to live.

"A vote for the Greens is a vote for sustainable planning and development that strengthens the livability of towns like Woodend, ensuring there remains a strong 'edge' to the town, making sure it doesn't just get absorbed into urban sprawl," Ms Rice said.

"The Liberals want a 'Big Australia' and the ALP has shown it always sides with developers despite their rhetoric about sustainable development. The Greens are the only party that stands strong with regional communities. We've shown that in parliament and in the community time after time."

Candidate rails for better transport

Greens candidate for the federal seat of Bendigo, Lachlan Slade, is calling for better transport services and better partnerships between state and federal governments.

Rachel Wattie

Greens candidate for the federal seat of Bendigo, Lachlan Slade, was talking public transport policy in Kyneton on Wednesday, calling for better services and better partnerships between state and federal governments.

Mr Slade said his party fully supports the recommendations of the V/Line Initial Strategic Directions Plan, which include duplicating the lines between Harcourt and Castlemaine, as well as between Taradale and Kyneton, and increasing V/Line carriages.

"It would mean peak services are stopping in Castlemaine half-hourly, and would allow for more consistent services with less delays and clock face scheduling," Mr Slade said.

"We would also like to see more frequent services to Bendigo and Melbourne, with express services that don't get caught up in Melbourne's metro service."

More money should also be invested into bus services, Mr Slade said.

"The ability for people to get out, socialise and improve their mental health means greater health outcomes for the community as well," he said.

There is not enough shared transport services linking the Macedon Ranges' five major centres - Kyneton, Woodend, Gisborne, Lancefield and Romsey, Mr Slade said.

"We need to see that change.

"Woodend does not have access to bus services, meaning that many elderly, low income and differently abled people in the area cannot get around as best they could.

"Kyneton needs a more frequent and longer running service than what we have already, some areas are getting as little as three services a day with no services at all four days a week. It's time our public transport system reflected the mobility needs of the township.

"Many transport initiatives are funded by Federal and State government and the Greens are keen to work across governments to make a better public transport system for the Macedon Ranges."

Residents agree that the V/Line rail service is "unreliable", "grim" and "frustrating".

Regular train commuter, Malmsbury resident Ruth Reid-Hobbs, said there is a malfunction or some sort of problem at least once a week, as well as a lack of seating when it's busy.

Melbourne barrister, Duncan Robertson, says the service could use a few more trains.

"They seem to be (running) at odd times," Mr Robertson said.