The news for the Ballarat station is, however, not as positive and the premier's statement about the masterplan being at a consultation stage is clearly at odds with council's view.

The council, at its meeting on August 13, adopted the plan with no fanfare and we were told that it was the government who decided there had been enough consultation and the final plan was then prepared and that it was too late for more consultation as the project was complete.

If we are to accept the premier's word that there will be more consultation, why was council in such a rush to adopt the plan?

This was despite the fact that the adopted plan was significantly different to that previously displayed at two of the public consultations and that those who contributed were not notified of the changes.

It is time that commuters and those who are concerned about the station's future are told the truth about what is going on.

At this stage, it appears that it is the government who are making all the decisions and it is important that before any more work is undertaken or election promises are made, that there be an open and transparent consultation period in which the masterplan's shortcomings can be properly addressed.