Locals in Mirboo North and the surrounding area will have better access to transport thanks to funding from the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) for a new community bus.
Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll, said $56,800 funding from the DTP’s Flexible Local Transport Solutions Program (FLTSP), has been put towards a new bus for the Mirboo North & District Community Foundation (Community Foundation).
The Community Foundation will fund the remaining $14,245 towards the cost of the new bus, as well as managing the ongoing running costs.
The Community Foundation has been operating a community bus in the Mirboo North area in collaboration with the Mirboo North Community Shed for the past 7 years. However, the bus itself has been in operation for over 17 years ,and was nearing the end of its life.
The new vehicle will mean that this service can continue to support Mirboo North and the surrounding local communities, such as schools and social groups.
Bridging Gaps in Transport Access
Lack of access to transport is a key issue for Mirboo North, given its location halfway between local transport hubs of the Latrobe Valley and coastal South Gippsland.
The Vital Signs Reports, which the Community Foundation published in 2020 in partnership with the Mirboo North and District Community Bank, identified transport access as an issue for young and old people in Mirboo North and the wider local area.
“We’re thrilled to have worked with the Department of Transport and Planning to get a new community bus for Mirboo North,” says Ruth Rogan, Executive Officer of the Community Foundation. “Their support ensures that the people of Mirboo North and beyond will continue to have access to a community bus, a crucial transport option in our rural area.”
The FLTSP provides funding to local governments and community organisations for small-scale transport projects, evidence-based transport studies, and funding to redesign and trial new ways in which transport services at a local level can be delivered across Victoria.
For more information on the Flexible Local Transport Solutions Program visit the Department of Transport and Planning’s website here.
