Thursday, 14 November 2024

Ministers statements: Metro Tunnel

Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (14:24): I rise to update the house on the Metro Tunnel project, a project that we are getting on with and those opposite cancelled. With the Metro Tunnel opening in 2025, the time is now to boost housing near public transport. That is why the Allan Labor government is delivering more homes and more opportunities well serviced by transport. The Metro Tunnel will transform housing options at the Arden precinct, which will be home to more than 20,000 residents, as well as new activity centres along the route at Oakleigh and Carnegie, as well as Footscray. The Metro Tunnel’s turn-up-and-go services will support new housing in our suburbs so young people and families can be better connected to the jobs, the education and the communities that they love.

The Metro Tunnel will revolutionise the way people get around this great city. Whether you live in Sunbury or Pakenham, Craigieburn or Corio, Bunyip or Boronia, you will be able to get to a hospital or a university or work in the Parkville precinct with a direct connection for the very first time. You have to wonder why the Liberals cancelled this project with the benefits for communities right across the state. It does not matter if you are coming from Sunshine or Werribee or Glen Waverley or Cranbourne; your daily commute will be more convenient with a Victorian-first train and tram interchange at Anzac station.

History will show that the opposition tried to block this project and the construction of Anzac station back 2017, just as they are now with the SRL. But a recent open day had local residents and workers raving about their brand new station, and why wouldn’t they. It will take around 11 minutes to travel from Anzac to Arden station, a trip that can currently take over 30 minutes by the existing public transport network. Those opposite had an allergic reaction to work for their four years in government. They squibbed on this project for four years, but thanks to the Allan Labor government we are on track to open the Metro Tunnel in 2025, 12 months ahead of schedule.