V/Line said that access for equipment to either remove the train or put it back onto the rails was hampered by low powerlines delaying the resumption of services on this line.

If it was a dual track at the accident scene, heavy haulage equipment such as a crane could have been brought alongside the accident scene by train.

Also, once the area was made safe, a train could pass the accident scene on the other track preventing cancellations of services.

It never should have been reduced to a single track; dual tracks are safer. No chance of a head-on crash if signalling fails or driver error and it also gives extra access to emergency workers.

I write regarding Robert Smallpage’s letter to the editor (“Questions over car parking”, Bendigo Advertiser, February 14).

For Australia Day celebrations at Lake Weeroona, I was directed to park in the parking bay pictured in the paper. When I arrived it was barricaded off and reserved for me, which is done every year for the mayor due to the various activities they have to attend across the day.  

The parking bay is a normal parking bay. There should have been two signs to indicate the start and end of the loading zones.

The first park is a long loading zone to accommodate trucks and delivery vehicles. Where the mayoral car was parked is a normal parking bay. Action has since been taken to replace the missing sign.

I was very honoured to perform the mayoral duties for Australia Day 2017 and would not have missed the opportunity to join in the celebrations. I hope that confusion over this matter does not deter from what was a fabulous event. I do wish to note that last weekend I did receive a parking fine. I was driving the mayoral car and overstayed the timestamp on the ticket displayed on the dashboard.

The position of mayor is not above the law and I have since paid the fine. When I am in the wrong, I expect to be corrected and treated as any resident or visitor would be.

Regarding comments by the Australian Education Union state secretary that they are looking to take strike action if the state government doesn't come to the party and give teachers a pay increase for the extra overtime that teachers have put in for the benefit of students, it's about time the union started to support their members properly, as their support hasn't been overwhelming of late.

They have asked teachers to support the Gonski campaign where they haven't witnessed any benefits.

Teachers have been teaching under a lot of stress and pressure from the Bendigo Education Plan, plus the disgraceful rorting of education funds by a number of high-flyers.

Government policies and procedures haven't made things easy for staff, which has a domino effect for students and parents.

I believe it's about time that the union supports its members properly and allow them to do what they have been trained to do and pass on their knowledge to the students, instead of all the ticking boxes, jumping through hoops etc and not getting the much-needed support from the leadership group.

They are doing it tough enough now without them having to take strike action to get what is appropriately needed.

The union organisation needs to stand up and take a strong stance against the government and department, not pussy footing around by not wanting to upset their friends in political parties.