Thursday, 20 June 2024

Northern Victoria Region

Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (12:44): (953) My question is for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. Minister, will you add Watson Street in Wallan East to the list of level crossing removals and prioritise this as an essential part of the Wallan diamond project? The Wallan diamond project at the intersection of Watson Street and the Hume Freeway is desperately needed for an important growth area but has been endlessly delayed by Labor. One related issue is that Watson Street also has a level crossing where it intersects with the rail line. The level crossing already causes traffic congestion as cars back up to the roundabout that regulates access into and out of Wallan East, and the government has just announced a plan to increase housing in the area by 300 per cent. Mitchell Shire Council recently passed a motion to advocate to state government for the crossing to be removed, and I fully support this call. When the state government finally starts construction of the Wallan diamond ramps it must include the removal of the level crossing as an essential part of the intersection upgrade.