Wednesday, 22 June 2022

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Mont Albert and Surrey Hills train stations

Mr HAYES (Southern Metropolitan) (12:00): My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. Residents have raised concerns with me regarding the government’s fast-tracked project to close the Mont Albert and Surrey Hills train stations and build a new station on a narrow residential street and a local park. While they are supportive of the objectives of the Level Crossing Removal Project, the fast-tracking of this process has allowed the Level Crossing Removal Project to keep the building design of the new station secret from residents who live adjacent to the site, as well as the local council. While building works are well underway, residents still have no idea of what is actually being built. My question is: when will the building design and other documents, such as traffic, vegetation and acoustic reports, for this new station be publicly released?

Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Resources) (12:01): I thank Mr Hayes for his question. It has been directed to Minister Allan, and I will seek a written response for him on that matter.

Mr HAYES (Southern Metropolitan) (12:01): Thank you, Minister, for referring that on. My supplementary is: the government signed off on transport plans and building contracts for this project before the completion of community and council consultation. Is the process for this not flawed when you do not include key stakeholder feedback and important information on the impacts of this project in the design? So the question is: is the process for this project flawed?

Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Resources) (12:01): I thank Mr Hayes for his supplementary question, and I will seek a written response to those matters from Minister Allan.