All aboard: Transport Minister Martin Pakula
Andrew Mathieson
TWO central Geelong bus stops that cost $1.1 million represent “value for money”, according to the Minister for Transport Martin Pakula.
But a Geelong home builder says for that price taxpayers could almost buy five new house and land packages in burgeoning Leopold.
Palladium Homes are offering an “affordable and contemporary range of homes” from $242,000 in its new Melaluka estate.
State Government paid Geelong company J C Brown to manufacture the twin 30-metre Moorabool Street bus shelters.
The million-dollar “superstops” feature undercover shelter, safety cameras, night lighting and heating to “improve the experience” for commuters.
Council would fork out for the cameras to monitor trouble spots.
Mr Pakula told the Independent the government would spare no expense in giving Geelong commuters the very best service.
“I think this is money very well spent and I think the residents of Geelong, Bellarine and the Surf Coast believe they are getting value for money,” he said.
Mr Pakula was in Geelong this week to announce the second stage of the State Government’s Geelong and Bellarine bus network package.
More than 1000 new weekly services will be added to local routes.
The government says improvements will provide better connections in Highton, Buckley Falls, Herne Hill, North Shore, Norlane, and Grovedale, and the Bellarine Transit Network.
“I think it shows the government is really serious about improving bus services,” Mr Pakula said.
Palladium Homes sales manager Rick Novak felt the taxpayer’s bill was “a lot of money” for two bus stops.
Mr Novak said Palladium’s average house and land packages was reasonably priced between $250,000-$300,000.
He said the most a “very big home” in the new estate costs would not exceed $500,000.
