Cambridge Heights, MerndaMelbourne, VIC

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CONTENTS1. Executive Summary 032. About Melbourne 043. About Mernda 074. Demographics & Socio-Economic Profile 085. Mernda Infrastructure 106. The Development 147. Location Sales History 188. Rental Returns 209. Media and Related Articles 21

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Executive Summary• Conveniently nestled in an already established area, Cambridge Heights is just the

investment you’re looking for. Residents will enjoy a great selection of schools, shops, restaurants, cafes and medical amenities. Children can play happily in generous parklands already established in the estate, and residents can come together in inviting public spaces.

• The development comprises of 300m2 allotments that are nestled between the foothills of the Yarra Ranges, and a stones throw away from the lush banks of the Plenty River.

• The homes on offer will comprise of four bedrooms, two bathrooms, double lock up garage and an emphasis on living areas suiting the local market demand. All homes are conveniently located within close proximity to public transport and the new Mernda Shopping centre to be constructed on the Corner of Bridge Inn road and Plenty road, less than 2km away.

• The dwellings will range between 170m2 and 180m2 square metres approximately.

• These house and land packages range from $395,000 +.

• All homes will be completed to a full turn-key standard and inclusive of all ancillary improvements and landscaping.

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About MelbourneMelbourne is Australia’s hottest market today. Melbourne’s median house price experienced a 2.7% increase over the first quarter of 2015, outperforming  the remaining capital cities.

You will be aware that Melbourne is forecast to be the biggest Australian capital city, increasing to almost 8 million by 2051. What’s interesting is that the ABS forecast Victoria’s population to have grown by 106,700 (1.9%) in the past 12 months, compared to a 109,100 (1.5%) increase in NSW over the same period.

Interstate migration into Victoria is now at record highs making it the leader in interstate migration nationwide. Victoria experienced 8,783 new residents moving into Melbourne from other states and territories over the last 12 months. Queensland experienced the second highest interstate migration rate which saw 5,753 relocate to Queensland. Sydney experienced a 6,857 decrease in interstate migration, which is expected as Sydney becomes less affordable and people are forced to explore other avenues to get into the property market.

Sydney still leads the way in terms of overseas migration with 73,300 overseas migrants moving to the state. Melbourne however, was still strong with 59,358 overseas migrants in the same period.

Interestingly, Melbourne’s overseas migrant demographic are aged between 20 – 25 years old and start out as students. They come with little money and, therefore, need time to work and save before entering the property market. They’re happy to live in shared accommodation where their living expenses remain low, work hard and save their money. Because of this trend, Macro Plan Dimasi are forecasting that we will see 220,000 – 250,000 migrants cashed up and looking to buy during 2016, 2017, and 2018 (to put that into perspective, Melbourne produces only 200,000 new dwellings per annum).

With the median house price jumping 4.8% in the last 3 months and the auction clearance rate at the start of March coming in at a massive 75.8%, Melbourne’s market is forecast to continue growing. This is a great sign considering historically, we’ve only experienced a clearance rate of 70%, representing ‘market balance’. The quantity of properties available are also at low levels. In 2012, Melbourne had 55,000 listings on the market, whereas today we’re seeing approximately 30,000 properties available indicating property to be in short supply across the state.

While auction clearance rates and price growth are set to continue, housing supply and, in particular, new housing supply remains low and therefore the most important factor when looking at the current market. According to the HIA, Australia will need to build approximately 186,000 dwellings a year between now and 2050 to meet the needs of our growing population. Of the 186,000 dwellings majority will be needed in Victoria (47,000).

Remember, there’s only truth in numbers.

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About MerndaMernda is located just 30km north-east to Victoria’s capital city of Melbourne and is part of the scenic city of Whittlesea. Whittlesea has a population of 186,368 and is rapidly growing with 167 new residents moving there every week. The City of Whittlesea is serviced by the Hume Freeway, the Metropolitan Ring Road, Plenty Road and the South Morang railway line, with stations at Epping, Keon Park, Lalor, Thomastown and Melbourne. The metropolitan train service provides less than 10 minute services during peak services and 20 minute services in off-peak times.

Mernda is a young, vibrant community that is made up of predominately young families with children, with the average age being 29. Doreen and Mernda are forecast to reach 54,948 residents by 2031, of which Mernda will contribute 17,239 people. The increase in Doreen and Mernda’s population equates to an average annual increase of 4.16%. Residential development forecasts assume the number of dwellings in Mernda - Doreen will increase by an average of 525 dwellings per annum to 20,345 in 2036. There were 56,529 jobs located in the City of Whittlesea in the year ending June 2013, which was a 3.88% increase on the year before. The key employment sectors in the City of Whittlesea are manufacturing, construction, retail trade and health care, and to a lesser extent, education. There are two major industrial precincts, being Epping North, Epping West and Thomastown, which are approximately 10km away.

Mernda is one of the more exciting areas of Melbourne where investors can expect to receive steady capital growth and receive an attractive yield (4.7% Average). The Victorian Government have fast tracked the commencement of the new Mernda Shopping centre and Transport hub which will offer a new metropolitan train station along with over 100 retail stores.

Mernda has an impressive 80% owner occupiers living in the suburb and 65% are family households. Residents have approximately 14 schools, both primary and secondary to choose from. Residents are also within 900m of Ivanhoe Grammar which is one of Victoria’s leading schools in student performance. Mernda’s scenic environment promotes a healthy, outdoor lifestyle, with multiple parks such as Mernda Recreation Reserve, Plenty Gorge Park and Hawkstowe Park.

Ivanhoe GrammarIvanhoe Grammar is home to approximately 500 students and offers state of the art facilities. In 2014 there were 235 students who completed their VCE. Overall 34% of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above placing them in the states top 10%. There were 53% of students who achieved an ATAR score of 80 and above, which has been consistent over the last three years. Ivanhoe’s wide range of facilities are a main contributor to its ongoing success. They offer a Creative Arts Centre which houses the schools Art, Design and Technology, Media, Visual Communication and Food Technology classrooms. Their sporting facilities are second to none in the area with a fully equipped gym, synthetic hockey fields and tennis courts. The school also offers an AFL sized oval which plays home to a wide range of community based events. Ivanhoe Grammar also offers a Equestrian Centre with full riding facilities, which allows students to take lessons or compete on campus.

Ivanhoe Grammar is an active participant in the VCE Off Shore Program. The program is an exciting and innovative initiative which allows students to study their VCE and experience a western style of education without leaving their home country. The success of the VCE China program is illustrated in the results of recent graduates – 20% of students finished in the top 10% of students studying VCE and 50% were ranked in the top 20% of the state. Students are also given the opportunity to attain places in Australia’s leading universities.

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Mernda Demographicsand Socio-Economic Profile

10,000

0

2011

Year

Population

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

7,665

24,82317,158

Estimated Residents

Forecast Population

Increase

Total Population

7,665

Renters /OwnerOccupiers

18% Rent80% Owner

Average PersonsPer Household

2.8

Median HouseholdIncome / Week

$1,597

Median Age

29 years old

Family Household

65%

2031

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5,000

0

2014

DwellingsSource: Australian Bureau of Statistics, .id Forecast, RP Data

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

7,229

20,286

2036

Current Dwellings

Forecast Dwellings

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Mernda Infrastructure

Transport• Hurstbridge Train Station (approx. 6km)• South Morang Train Station (approx. 8km)• Epping station (approx. 10km)• Western Ring Road (approx. 8km)• Bus Routes - Route 520, Route 572, Route 562

(approx. 2km)

Retail• Future Mernda Town Centre (approx. 2km)• Laurimar Town Centre (approx. 3km)• Westfield Plenty Valley Shopping Centre

(approx. 10km)

The Whittlesea Planning Scheme identifies the Mernda Town Centre being located on the south-east corner of Bridge Inn Road and Plenty

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Road which is less than 2km away from the development. Once completed it will include 2 major supermarkets (Coles and Woolworths), over 100 other retail shops, cafes and service providers, a discount department store such as a Big W or Target. Plans for the Town Centre also include an integrated transport hub including bus services and an extension of the train line from South Morang, through Doreen to Mernda.

Recreation • Doreen Recreation Reserve (approx. 1km)• Hawkstowe Park (approx. 10km)• Plenty George Park (approx. 2km)• Yarrambat Park Golf Course (approx. 3km)• Growling Frog Golf Course (approx. 10km)• Plenty view Golf Park (approx. 6km)• Whittlesea Golf Club (approx. 15km)

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Medical • Laurimar Medical (approx. 3km)• Mernda Village Medical (approx. 5km)• Doreen Medical centre (approx. 3km)

Childcare Centre’s:• Katie Sanderson Family Day Care (approx.

2km)• Anne’s Family Day Care (approx. 2km)• Butterflies Child Care Centre (approx. 2km)

• Rose Garden Child Care (approx. 5km)• Wallaby Child Care (approx. 10km)

Primary Schools:• Ivanhoe Grammar School (Plenty Campus)• Doreen Primary School (approx. 2.5km)• Doreen South Primary School (approx. 6km)• Mernda Primary School (approx. 4km)• St Joseph’s Parish Primary School• Laurimar Primary School (approx. 3km)

Mernda Infrastructure

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• Yarrambat Primary School (approx. 4km)• South Morang Primary School (approx. 9km)

Secondary Schools:• Ivanhoe Grammar School (Plenty Campus)

(approx. 900m)• Plenty Valley Christian College (approx. 2km)• Ironbark Christian School (approx. 5km)• The Lakes South Morang P-9 School

(approx. 6km)

• Marymede Catholic College (approx. 6km)• Mill Park Secondary College (approx. 10km)• Whittlesea Secondary College (approx. 10km)

University: • NMIT Epping (approx. 15km)• RMIT University Bundoora Campus

(approx. 10km)

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The DevelopmentThe Cambridge Heights estate is nestled in an already established area of Mernda approximately 30km from Melbourne.

The development comprises of 300m2 allotments that are nestled between the foothills of the Yarra Ranges, and a stones throw away from the lush banks of the Plenty River.

All homes are conveniently located within close proximity to public transport and the new Mernda Shopping to be constructed on the Corner of Bridge Inn road and Plenty road, less than 2km away.

Surrounding views are to be enjoyed in all directions.

The site topography is predominately level throughout providing easy and sound building platforms.

The Whittlesea Planning Scheme identifies the Mernda Town Centre being located on the south-east corner of Bridge Inn Road and Plenty Road which is less than 2km away from the development. Once completed it will include two major supermarkets (Coles and Woolworths), over 100 other retail shops, cafes and service providers, a discount department store such as a Big W or Target. Plans for the Town Centre also include an integrated transport hub including bus services and an extension of the train line from South Morang, through Doreen to Mernda.

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The Development

The HomesThe homes on offer will comprise of four bedrooms, two bathrooms, double lock up garage and an emphasis on living areas suiting the local market demand.

The dwellings sizes will on average be 300m2 approximately.

These house and land packages will be priced at $395,000+.

All homes will be completed to a full turn-key standard and are inclusive of all ancillary improvements and landscaping.

Each allotment includes town water, sewerage and electricity services.

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Location Sales HistoryComparable Sales Evidence

10 Autumn GroveMernda, VIC, 3754

Area: 510 m2

Price: $440,000Sale Date: Feb 2015Features: 4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car Garage

35 Basilica VistaMernda, VIC, 3754

Area: 459 m2

Price: $450,000Sale Date: Jan 2015Features: 4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car Garage

69 Everard RoadMernda, VIC, 3754

Area: 590 m2

Price: $495,000Sale Date: Nov 2014Features: 4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car Garage

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Established Capital Benchmarks

9 Galloway DriveMernda, VIC, 3754

Area: 519 m2

Price: $690,000Sale Date: Sep 2014Features: 4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car Garage

13 Greig Drive Mernda,VIC, 3754

Area: 596 m2

Price: $585,000Sale Date: Oct 2014Features: 4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car Garage

5 Padthaway PlaceMernda, VIC, 3754

Area: 574 m2

Price: $720,000Sale Date: Sep 2014Features: 4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car Garage

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Rental Returns

$370 p/w Estimate from local real estate agents X 52 Weeks = $19,240 Annual Rent

$19,240 Annual Rent / $395,000 Average Purchase Price = 4.88% Annual Rent Return

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Media and Related Articles

MELBOURNE faces a frightening future over its failure to build for an exploding population, a planner has warned.

Mass immigration and relatively high birthrates could push the city’s numbers from 4.3 million today to eight million by 2050, according to some projections.

But the failure to match this with infrastructure risked worsening inequality and threatening social cohesion, Roger Gibbins said.

The policy director at consultancy Urbis said major projects such as the metro rail tunnel would not be finished in time to cope with demand.

“The demand is there now,” Mr Gibbins said. “The solutions don’t really seem to be apparent, and yet we’re talking about all this future growth.

“That’s what scares me.”

Treasurer Michael O’Brien recently boasted that Victoria was adding the net equivalent of a Grand Final crowd to its population every year.

He said the state would cope with this growth with projects such as the East West Link and the Airport Rail Link.

But Mr Gibbins warned big delays in delivering such projects could lead to a backlash against growth that would threaten social cohesion.

“We’re going to create an unequal city, particularly in terms of access to employment,” Mr Gibbins said. “And for the next generation there are housing affordability issues on top of that, which are going to get worse.”

Speaking at a Property Council of Victoria summit on growth, he said it would help to cut the tax and red tape burden on the property industry.

Committee for Melbourne CEO Kate Roffey said a detailed plan would be needed to house and employ a population of eight million.

“We’ve got this very disjointed process of saying we need more affordable housing, and we keep opening up these outer urban areas, but we forget we have to connect those people to services,” she said.

“We’ve got an enormous infrastructure gap and we’re not closing it at all.

Melbourne house median hits record $669,000: REIV

05th February 2015 – Property Observer.

Melbourne’s median house price hit $669,000, up 5% on the September quarter after price increases in inner, middle and outer suburbs, according to the latest REIV quarterly results.

“Inner Melbourne increased by 11.7% for the year with middle Melbourne up by 13.2% and outer Melbourne at 8.9%,” REIV Chief Executive Officer Enzo Raimondo said today.

Overall Melbourne house prices were up 11.7% compared with 2013.

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The December quarter median house price in regional Victoria was at new records too, at $344,000, up 5.5% on September.

December Quarter 2014 Median Prices

Metro Melbourne Dec-14 Quarter Quarterly change Sep-14 Quarter Annual changeHouse $669,000 5.3% $635,000 11.7%Unit $511,500 1.6% $503,500 5.7%

Source: REIV

Regional Victoria Dec-14 Quarter Quarterly change Sep-14 Quarter Annual changeHouse $344,000 5.5% $326,000 5.8%Unit $257,000 4.0% $247,000 3.0%

Source: REIV

This graph shows median house and unit prices in Melbourne over the past decade in seasonally adjusted terms.

Median prices over time Melbourne growth to stand out in 2016: HSBC’s Paul Bloxham

Melbourne will see the highest price growth of any capital city next year, HSBC has forecast.In the latest HSBC Australia Downunder Digest report, HSBC Australia chief economist Paul Bloxham forecasts 4% to 8% price growth in Melbourne for 2016, after 7% to 8% growth in 2015.

Bloxham expects that in 2015, Melbourne and Sydney will “continue to outpace the rest of the nation”, noting that from its mid-2012 trough, Melbourne’s housing prices have increased by 20%.

However, Bloxham does not raise the prospect of a housing bubble in Melbourne as he did for Sydney, where HSBC predicts prices could fall by 2% in 2016 when they expect interest rates to increase.

He also noted the impact of foreign buyers on demand for Australian property, explaining that Foreign Investment Review Board figures “suggest a strong rise in foreign investment in Australian housing in 2014, with particular strength in investment in new dwellings.” (see chart below).

“Much of the interest from foreign buyers is in the Sydney and Melbourne new apartment markets,” writes Bloxham.

While Bloxham notes that foreign investment “is only a relatively small proportion of overall housing turnover”, it is “likely to be having some effect on housing prices”.

Victoria, which has seen the highest dwelling approvals of any state since 2009, is likely to see continued strength in the construction sector, according to Bloxham.

“As Australia’s growth rebalances away from the mining states towards the south-eastern states – of New South Wales and Victoria – the strongest ramp-up in construction should be expected in these states,” states the report.

Population to swell well beyond predictions, not enough action by governmentPUBLISHED: 10 Mar 2015 01:14:39 | UPDATED: 10 Mar 2015 01:14:39

Population to swell well beyond predictions, not enough action by government

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MacroPlan Dimasi chairman Brian Haratsis says that both monetary and fiscal policy, as sources for momentum, are close to exhausted. AFR - Rebecca Thistleton

Australia’s population is likely to go well beyond the 39.7 million people by 2055 predicted in the federal government’s intergenerational report, MacroPlan Dimasi chairman Brian Haratsis says.

Mr Haratsis said the report, released on Thursday, was based on the assumption net overseas migration would average 215,000 people per annum.

He said the annual increase was more likely to be closer to 300,000 people annually, even if the county’s migrant intake was not substantially raised.

“Australia’s economy has become more dependent on long-term temporary residents, including overseas university students, skilled workers and family visitors,” he said.

“Recent history has shown that sectors leading economic growth are dependent on our temporary residents. Our healthcare, professional services and tertiary education sectors provide leading edges to jobs growth.” Modelling from Macroplan Dimasi showed 16 million new Australians would drive demand for about 12 million additional homes, 32 million square metres of retail floor space and 160 million square metres of office floor space.

“By 2055, both Melbourne and Sydney are likely to be the same size as Chicago is today at nine million people,” he said.

In the wake of the report, Treasurer Joe Hockey suggested access to superannuation as a way to help first homebuyers get into the housing market. The idea was broadly panned as having the potential to worsen affordability.

Mr Haratsis said giving first-time buyers more buying power would create more competition for homes, driving up properties, without increasing supply – adding first homebuyer schemes only drove prices higher.

“It doesn’t address the big problems; the key issue is that the cost of housing is too high. You can create additional demand and introduce financial instruments but that does not change the cost of land.

“We need to look at how more land can be brought to market faster and more efficiently. Land is the most expensive component and that’s largely because of all the government taxes and charges attached.

The report also highlighted a need to refresh macroeconomic policy, MacroPlan Dimasi has pushed for a review with a focus on industry perspectives rather than industry policy.

“It is clear that both monetary and fiscal policy, as sources for momentum, is close to exhausted,” Mr Haratsis said.”

“Moving forward, governments will need to offer more detailed and considered analysis of how the economy is evolving.”

One area for focus is the tourism sector, which he described as complex as a source of demand for transport infrastructure, retail services and property investment.

“Our services for overseas tourists are thriving, but this sector remains undervalued and misunderstood. Framing actions for the next 40 years will require thoughtful assessment of the global services boom, as it collides with the digital revolution and growth in Asian middle class wealth.”

The Australian Financial Review

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Mernda rail extension plans on the drawing board

Plans for a new rail line in Melbourne’s booming outer north are quietly being drawn up by the Napthine government, just three months out from a state election in which transport issues are tipped to swing many votes.

The plans, which are at a very early stage, involve extending the South Morang rail line eight kilometres north to Mernda on Melbourne’s suburban fringe. Fairfax Media understands potential locations for three new stations are being assessed, as well as whether land owned by government corporation VicTrack could be sold to developers to offset the construction costs.

Planners with state authority Public Transport Victoria have consulted planning officers at the City of Whittlesea about the proposal. The terminus for the new line would likely be built next to the planned Mernda town centre, a grassy paddock that will eventually become a commercial hub for tens of thousands of people.

Woolies blocks Coles bid for growth suburb

Supermarket chain Woolworths has won a planning battle with rival Coles to stop it building a full-line supermarket in Mernda, one of Melbourne’s fast-growing northern suburbs.

Victoria’s planning tribunal has overridden a contentious move by the City of Whittlesea to support a planning application by Wesfarmers-owned Coles and its development consortium partner Ascenzo Industries to build a supermarket and shopping complex at 1435 Plenty Road, on the north-west corner of Bridge Inn Road.

The supermarket furore erupted over the intersection of Bridge Inn and Plenty roads, a crossroad that will form the heart of Mernda’s new town centre in what are now little more than paddocks surrounded by rapidly expanding housing estates. The subregional centre is expected to service a catchment of about 50,000 people when fully developed.

Fairfax Media previously reported that Woolworths owns a 25-hectare block on the south-west corner where it is proposing to build Mernda Town Centre, a $100 million shopping centre with 80 mixed-use shops, two department stores and two supermarkets, one of which it will occupy.

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The site, overseen by Woolworths’ development arm Fabcot Pty Ltd, has been zoned as the only land in the area allowed to accommodate supermarkets under Whittlesea Council’s Mernda Town Centre Comprehensive Development Plan.

But the Council - when approached by Coles with a proposal for a similar sized supermarket in a mixed-used development across the road - decided to support it, prompting Woolworths to fight the case in the tribunal.

Ascenzo Industries previously told Fairfax Media that Woolworths could block or offer unfavourable lease terms to any rival supermarket tenant if it controls the only land able to host a supermarket, an outcome that would undermine recent state government attempts to boost retail competition through reform.

As the landlord, Woolworths was likely to be privy to revenue details of any rival.

Earlier this year, Coles announced its intention to roll out 14 new stores in Victoria over the next two years, investing $360 million to battle Woolworths for market share. The hiccup in Mernda follows another stumble at its proposed Surrey Hills store where the group has been forced to resubmit plans for a 1620-square-metre supermarket in the Union Road shopping precinct.

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Coles and Ascenzo’s proposal for the Mernda site included a supermarket, medical centres, childcare, gymnasium or associated retail, and residential and office spaces. The tribunal said if it allowed a supermarket to be located outside Mernda’s designated core, the plans to create a compact, pedestrian-oriented and traditional mixed-use town centre would be ‘’frustrated and potentially thwarted’’.

Coalition matches Labor with $700m Mernda rail link pledge

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/coalition-matches-labor-with-700m-mernda-rail-link-pledge-20141021-1194ym.html#ixzz3H2Ydfhoh

The booming outer-northern suburb of Mernda will be connected to the rail network, regardless of which party wins the state election.

On Tuesday morning the Coalition matched Labor’s promise to extend the railway from South Morang out to Mernda, pledging to build it for $700million by 2020-21.

The planned 7.5 kilometre double track extension will see extra stations built in South Morang and Mernda. Trains will begin running every 10 minutes from next year on the line.

The stations will provide another public transport option for one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing areas, where rapid population growth has choked roads in Mernda and neighbouring suburb Doreen. Whittlesea Council says 9500 people move to the area each year.

The announcement marks a victory for locals who have campaigned strongly for a railway extension past South Morang. A Mernda rail Facebook page has more than 6000 likes.

Premier Denis Napthine said the promise hadn’t been made because of the seat of Yan Yean’s 0.1 per cent margin but because of the population growth in the area.

“When this is completed, we will be delivering train services to Mernda every 10 minutes off peak,” he said.

Labor made its promise in September and said the extension would cost between $400 million and $600 million. They committed to having the service up and running in their first term.

Transport Minister Terry Mulder said the two stations would be premium stations and staffed from first to last train. He said Labor’s plan was underfunded and hadn’t been properly planned.

“We’re not going to promise what we can’t deliver,” he said.

Darren Peters from the South Morang and Mernda Rail Alliance said locals had been waiting for the announcement for a decade.

He said he didn’t mind ultimately which party’s plan was successful as long as the railway extension was delivered.

“We had the community behind us but it was definitely the marginal seat status that tipped us over the line,” he said.

Mr Peters did raise concerns over the 200-capacity car parks at each station and said they might need to be expanded down the track.

Mr Mulder said the plan was to build what was needed and that more people were expected to travel to the station by bus.

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The pledge forms part of a suite of $815 million in Coalition transport promises for the marginal seat, including $95 million to duplicate a 3.9 kilometre stretch of Yan Yean Road.

The single-lane road carries 20,000 vehicles a day and has become increasingly bottlenecked at peak times. Whittlesea mayor Mary Lalios described it as a “fantastic day” for the local community and said it was important that all parties had committed to the project.

“It means that people will be able to access jobs, they will be able to access schools, everything they need to run their daily lives,” Cr Lalios said.

Yan Yean is the most marginal seat in Victoria. Currently held by Labor MP Danielle Green, a recent redistribution left the seat notionally Liberal at 0.1 per cent.

Ms Green said the promise was a “last-minute stunt” which “smacked of desperation”.

“Denis Napthine and the Liberals have done nothing for four years in the northern suburbs,” she said.

Mernda rail battle won by South Morang and Mernda Rail Alliance

A decade of tireless campaigning has paid off for a small group of South Morang and Mernda Rail Alliance volunteers following the state government decision to fast-track the rail extension from South Morang to Mernda.

When Premier Denis Napthine announced the Coalition’s $815 million transport package last Tuesday, alliance spokesman Darren Peters tasted victory for the second time since his battle for “rail to Mernda” began in 2005.

It follows the alliance’s successful campaign for a station in South Morang, which opened in 2012.

And it seems trains will run to Mernda regardless of the outcome of next month’s state election, as the state government’s $700 million rail commitment follows similar promises by Labor and the Greens last month.

“I can’t believe it,” Mr Peters said. “I think everyone in the surrounding suburbs is joyous. We’ve secured $1.4 billion of infrastructure for our community and that’s something we can be proud of.”

While campaigners were celebrating, Yan Yean Labor MP Danielle Green cited the electorate’s narrow margin as an explanation for Dr Napthine’s interest in local affairs.

“This is desperate Denis at his worst trying to save his political skin,” she said. “He’s been deaf and blind to this electorate for years.”

Either way, the narrow margin in the seat of Yan Yean is reaping rewards for the electorate.The state government’s Northern Suburbs Transport Package includes a 7.5-kilometre double-track extension with new stations at Hawkstowe Parade in South Morang and Bridge Inn Road, Mernda – and provision for a third.

Yan Yean Road will be duplicated at a cost of $95 million; $20 million will provide weekday trains every 10 minutes on the South Morang line; and extra car parking will be created at Wallan station for $1.3 million.

The Premier also announced new train- stabling facilities at Mernda, an upgraded station at Mernda with 200 free car spaces, a four-bay bus interchange at Mernda and bicycle cages at South Morang and Mernda.

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