Tuesday,1 April 2025

Richard WELCH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (03:46): (1554) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop. In Heatherton residents like Michelle Hornstein are suffering. Since February Michelle and her neighbours have endured constant nausea, headaches, dizziness and ear pain caused by low-frequency vibrations from a roller machine operating at the SRL stabling yard in Kingston Road. These vibrations, confirmed by Suburban Connect to be as low as 31 hertz, are making homes unlivable. Michelle described feeling motion sick while working at her desk, overwhelmed by a relentless humming pressure in her ears. Despite this, Michelle has not been properly compensated. She was offered relocation options that were completely unsuitable, and Suburban Connect knew it. Last week she was told the vibration roller will resume this Thursday and continue intermittently until September. Residents had previously been assured it would stop in August. This is not the only concern. Locals have raised serious issues with dust, excavation, noise and even asbestos tape found on site, but they have been repeatedly told these matters are within limits. When Michelle’s experience was played on radio this week the minister responded, ‘That sounds an awful experience,’ and vaguely referenced relocation, yet Michelle remains at home unsupported. Sadly, this is not isolated. In Glen Waverley residents have had trees removed without notice, traffic and parking thrown into chaos and small businesses left to struggle, to say the least. A sense of disruption is growing, but genuine compensation remains absent. In Box Hill I have met families enduring dust and noise from the SRL station site. Box Hill Gardens has been split in two. The open space losses are now permanent.