The excessive geographic spread of major cities has long been a problem in Australia. Newly-established residential areas face issues like the cost and shortage of infrastructure and services, including public transport. There are also resource-use problems such as the loss of ecologically significant areas and of productive agricultural land.
Both of Australia’s major conurbations provide a few more opportunities for reasonably priced homes in their western suburbs than in other parts. Those who choose these options have to deal with the commuting motorist’s syndrome: you travel to work by car into the sunrise and travel home after work into the sunset.
My (slightly poetic) interest in these phenomena was recently piqued by a brief trip to Melbourne which had me overnighting in a western suburb apparently unknown to some of the otherwise helpful VicRail staff at Flinders Street while, at the same time, a couple I love very dearly are considering a move that might offer the attraction of a home with a third bedroom.
What began as a piece of doggerel kept in mind through the earworm ‘The last train to Werribee’ somehow became a sad reminder to people thinking of ‘moving further out’ to take every care with their decision.
It may be fruitless to hope that the publication of this piece might also contribute to a wider understanding of the social and ethical obligations of those in both government and private sectors who are in the housing industry.
Please note: Those parties should understand that I have sought indemnity against the possibility that this piece has the effect of reducing house prices in the outer suburbs.
The last train to Werribee goes at ten-to-nine at night.
Will I see the kids at bedtime? With any luck I might.
From Werribee to Flinders Street it isn't very far
But you'll have to leave home early if you haven't got a car.
The station staff at Flinders Street know nothing of Westona;
More central sites are hard to find for hopeful first home-owners.
Our mortgage was six hundred thou.; but little did we know
That soon they would all rise again: they couldn't stay that lowe.
The last train to Werribee
Goes at ten-to-nine at night.
Will I see the kids at bedtime?
Can the price I paid be right?
I'm lucky that my modest block is serviced by VicRail -
But from the city after work the train's of no avail.
The next stop from Altona's where Westona can be found -
A place whose major industry's still chem-ically bound.
Toyota cars were built right here 'til twenty-seventeen.
And other heavy industries regarded as unclean.
With less regard to tyres and oils, and plastics of all kind,
Our table talk at dinner was a little more refined.
The last train to Werribee
Goes at ten-to-nine at night.
Will the kids have a certain future?
Can the price we paid be right?
At last the weekend comes around; the kids are up 'til 10.
I spend some time among their toys and pack them up again.
But it's not enough for both of us: their mother tries so hard
But finds too little freedom in a small suburban yard.
I'm on the last train to Werribee; numb is how I feel,
With a carry-bag of groceries to make an evening meal.
Will I see the kids at bedtime? No, they're with their mum instead
So no one's home to play with me or share the double bed.
Our budget made us move out here though never truly poor;
But the effect on our relationship surprised us, that's for sure.
The distance is what ruined it, we knew that time would tell
And the last train to Werribee has played a part as well.
We knew the stress would challenge us
As father and as mother,
But never did we think to swap
One good-buy for another.
