Thursday, 19 October 2023

North-Eastern Metropolitan Region

Nicholas McGOWAN (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:07): (492) My constituents in the electoral district of Bundoora have a question for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure too, and they would like to know what it is they have done wrong. Essentially, they would like to know why it is those also in my electoral district of Ivanhoe can have, for the North East Link Program, a cut and cover with a significant portion of that cover covered by playgrounds and open natural space, whereas in the seat of Bundoora we have what is equivalent to an open-cut mine. In fact we will have 13 lanes that directly dissect two different communities. This has been an issue that has been raised with me by traders in the area. I note there are also public submissions now open from 9 October right through to the 20 October. I encourage any member of the public, certainly those in Bundoora and Greensborough, to make a submission to the government to ensure that local voices are heard. This is a significant development and it will cause significant divide, and we must try and avoid that to the extent possible and also encourage the government to adopt a pedestrian crossing overpass.