Tuesday, 15 October 2024

 Katherine COPSEY (Southern Metropolitan) (14:19): In 2018 the Labor government gave a commitment via the Fishermans Bend Framework to build both tram and rail connections in Fishermans Bend, connecting the CBD to both residential and employment districts of Fishermans Bend by 2025. A year ago I asked the Minister for Transport Infrastructure when this tram would be delivered and the response was ‘We’re working on it.’ I asked again in February of this year. The response arrived last week, a full seven months overdue, and the response was still ‘We’re working on it.’ Granted, in the interim we have got the bus routes running a little bit more frequently. But covering an area that is almost three times the size of Melbourne’s CBD, a full transport solution is desperately needed for the 80,000 people who will live in Fishermans Bend, the other 80,000 who will work there and another 20,000 who will study there. A few extra buses on existing bus lines just will not cut it for such huge growth in population in the community there.

Beyond the issue of a broken promise, we are already hearing from residents and businesses that they are choosing not to go to Fishermans Bend, and as a result, development within the precinct is stagnating. Landowners, businesses and the local council are all calling for clarity. In a housing crisis what a short-sighted decision it is by this Labor government to neglect investment in clean, climate-friendly transport that would open up this precinct that is so close to the city and already serves a community that is only set to grow.