Wednesday, 29 May 2024

Suburban Rail Loop

Richard WELCH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (17:51): (927) The action I seek is for the Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop. In September 2022 the Suburban Rail Loop East project was designated, which gave the Suburban Rail Loop Authority land acquisition powers. In the months and years since many businesses and houses have received notices of intention to acquire and then acquisition notices from the SRLA. The acquisition notices confused and worried many in my electorate. Residents felt they appeared out of nowhere. There has also been a lack of translation services. One resident in Box Hill found out their property was being acquired only three weeks after moving in. Families, both newcomers to the area and those who have lived there for generations, are now being abruptly told to pack up and leave their homes.

My constituents in the SRLA planning precincts who have not yet received any information on property acquisition are still worried about this occurring as the SRL works continue. Residents are scared to renovate, repair or make any changes to their properties. This is completely understandable. Why would those in my electorate use their hard-earned money to make investments in their own property with the threat of it being suddenly seized by the SRLA looming in the background. This government has not told those in the SRL precincts how many houses have been acquired and how long the property acquisitions will continue for. Given this project is already disastrously over budget, there are concerns in the community about how much money is being spent on acquiring properties and if it is being spent responsibly or if the development will be further intensified to meet funding shortfalls. The minister and his government must give certainty to those in the planning areas so that they can continue living in their properties without worry. They should be able to renovate homes, make changes and live without fear of the SRLA swooping in to take their property at any moment.

The action I seek from the minister is to urgently confirm how many houses will be acquired, when they will be acquired, how much is being spent on property acquisition by the Suburban Rail Loop Authority and whether the minister will rule out any further changes to precinct plans and housing density areas within the overall SRL precinct plans.