ROAD closures throughout Victoria due to flooding have again highlighted Mildura’s isolation from our major city.
Routes to Melbourne have been closed off, forcing drivers to find a longer way around, with trips hitting the eight-hour mark.
All the while, our major parties in this state remain unwilling to commit to the return of a passenger train to one of Victoria’s biggest regional cities.
So what’s the alternative in situations like this, where Mildura people need to get to Melbourne, often for medical reasons?
Well, there are planes, of course, but the costs are prohibitive, to say the least.
Take Friday, for example.
I jumped online to see what the cost of a one-way flight to Melbourne was for one passenger.
The skyscanner website was advertising the cheapest flight at $458 with the most expensive a staggering $1783 via Sydney.
Flight Centre offered up similar prices, as did other sites I visited. While typically you can find flights for under the $200 mark, it can depend on the time of day and the day itself. Fridays are always a problem.
So if a family needs to get to Melbourne urgently, they either have to drive for up to eight hours on potentially flood-damaged roads, or fork out at least a few grand to travel one-way to their major city.
Are any of us in Sunraysia okay with this?
In one positive sign, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy flew into Mildura on Thursday with an election promise that has wings.
He said a Liberal and National government would launch a $23 million trial cap on return airfares to Melbourne from Mildura at $100, aiming to save residents hundred of dollars on flights.
Those living within 150km of Mildura will be eligible for two $100 return flights to the state’s capital over the next two years, meaning residents won’t be forced to spend countless hours on buses or driving the state’s crumbling road network.
Mr Guy stated if successful, his government planned to extend the capped flights trial further.
“Part of Mildura’s beauty is its isolation, but that can come at a hefty price,” he said.
“Mildura locals have called for flight subsidies for some time, and we’ll deliver it.”
Leader of the Nationals, Peter Walsh, said Mildura had been neglected when it comes to transport options.
“Capped flights are a real alternative to passenger rail, which can’t be considered until the botched Murray Basin Rail Project has been completed,” he said.
If both sides of government continue to make excuses for not bringing back a train, then the least they can do is subsidise flights for Sunraysia residents.
The Coalition’s plan to give everyone one subsidised return flight a year isn’t overly generous. But it is a take-off point.
