Saving the Australind passenger train services from being halved has been one of John Castrilli’s most rewarding successes during his time as the Member for Bunbury.

In 2006, John guided a passionate host of community members in their powerful lobbying efforts to stop a proposal by Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan to downgrade the service to one return trip daily.

The Save the Australind Committee was formed and a petition, which was tabled by John in Parliament, generated 8633 signatures.

John believes the Australind is a lifeline for the people of the South West and therefore it is essential.

Furthermore he is a keen supporter of the current feasibility study into a fast rail service between Perth and Bunbury.

Relevant media releases:

• Minister MacTiernan gone off the rails, 22/06/06
• MacTiernan fast tracks demise of Australind, 29/06/06
• South West on board with Castrilli, 30/06/06
• Castrilli backs call to save Australind, 5/07/06
• Australind ‘policy on the run’ leaves the station, 17/07/06
• Castrilli unites voice of opposition to rail plan, 26/07/06
• Is the Minister really listening? 31/07/06
• Australind proposal stopped dead in its tracks, 7/08/06
• Castrilli tables opposition in Parliament, 23/08/06
• Track record on train safety disgraceful, 26/07/07
• Train turns 20 yet no replacement in sight, 05/11/07
• The Liberal Plan for Bunbury, 26/08/08

Relevant Parliamentary debates and Questions on Notice:

• Hansard: Australind proposal questioned, 27/06/06 (pdf)
• Hansard: Australind petition tabled, 24/08/06 (pdf)
• Hansard: Questions on notice - rolling stock/Pinjarra/Brunswick upgrade, 28/09/06 (pdf)
• Hansard: Questions on notice re: Australind faults, 19/09/07 (pdf)

2 November 2008

~ John Castrilli is on hand to listen ~ Phone: 9791 3636 ~ Fax: 9791 3313 ~