Wednesday, 31 May 2023

Western Victoria Region

Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) (13:00): (220) My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, and it relates to the completion of the Western Highway duplication between Buangor and Ararat. In a previous constituency question the minister was asked about the cost of the security at the former Indigenous camp site east of Ararat that was abandoned in October 2020. Nobody is there and yet the site is being patrolled by security guards and is continually monitored. The minister was asked, ‘How much is this going to cost?’, and her response was:

Construction partners engaged by Major Road Projects Victoria … are responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the site.

She went on to say:

… crews are continuing to maintain the safety and security of the site, with regular reports of individuals approaching security personnel at the site.

So the information that I seek is: (1) how many individuals have approached the site since it was abandoned in October 2020 and (2) can the minister please detail how much the security is costing, given she failed to in her last response?