Bite The Bullet and put a station to the west
We need a bullet train from Ballarat to the Melbourne CBD. It would stop at Ballan, Bacchus Marsh and Sunshine. At Sunshine it would link with the Tullamarine Airport rail link. The trip could be reduced to 30 to 40 minutes for commuters. This is a project that all Ballarat and district people should vocally support. Without it, Ballarat commuters will have to endure 13-14 hour days long into the future.
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If the first bullet train in Victoria is from Melbourne to Geelong, then the obvious extension will be Ararat, Stawell, Horsham and then to Adelaide. The route will mirror the freight corridor already being used. Should this scenario happen, Ballarat will not see a bullet train for decades.
Now the suggestion is a station at Warrenheip with a 2000 space carpark. The concept of 1500 more cars trying to make the right hand turn at the Freeway/Old Melbourne Road intersection during the morning peak beggars belief. We do need a new station but It should be located in the Alfredton / Delacombe / Lucas growth corridor. It would require a new spur line from Wendouree. With a multi-storey carpark such a facility would provide 1000’s of Ballarat residents with a rail station within 5-10 minutes from home.
Alf Pratt, Warrenheip
Do it at home
Driving to Ballarat I looked in rear view mirror and saw an old 1 tonner, just avoiding trees and returning onto road. Kept checking and driver was taking up both lanes, scary. When the driver went to pass, I was apprehensive and fearful. As the vehicle passed, I looked at the driver. It was a young woman, putting on her makeup. She continued up the road, taking up both lanes. I have no problem, if she hurts or kills herself, but think of the others.
Lorraine Novelle, Beaufort.
Pride and Prejudice.
I wonder how many Jane Austen fans have read Helen Halstead's "A Private Performance" which continues the story of all the characters in Pride and Prejudice. I was enthralled with reading what happened when Darcy overcame his reluctance to give Elizabeth a season in London. I learned of the marriage of two of Elizabeth’s sisters, the romances of Georgiana, Caroline Bingley and even Lady Catherine De Bourgh's daughter Anne. was intrigued to see that the text design and typeset was by Midland Typesetter in Maryborough, Victoria. The edition I have was a Vintage Book published by Random House, Thoroughly recommended.
Ella Smith, Wendouree.