Tuesday, 3 May 2022

Bayswater electorate infrastructure projects

Mr TAYLOR (Bayswater) (14:05): This is my fourth budget, and I am so proud that the Andrews Labor government is continuing to deliver for the community that I proudly represent. I want to focus on a couple of exciting local funding announcements.

The McMahons Road intersection—we are fixing this intersection. The state Labor government, the Andrews Labor government, is fixing this once and for all, installing lights and making it safe, ending the years of empty promises, ending the talkfest and getting on with it with real budget funding secured. It had been long talked about, but nothing had been done. Actions speak louder than words, and after years of empty promises the community spoke loud and clear: it is not good enough. This upgrade will mean we will deliver lights, we will fully signalise it, we will improve travel time and we will make it more efficient and, importantly, safer for all road users who use that part of the world. I tell you what: the community spoke. With hundreds of signatures on my petition, they said loud and clear: get it done. And we are doing exactly that. We are getting on with it, and we will deliver it in this year’s budget—funding secured, black and white. I am proud to be delivering for this wonderful part of the community on this long-awaited and much-needed upgrade.

Of course there is huge news out at Wantirna College, with the Deputy Premier to announce $11.2 million of real funding in the budget—secured, black and white. It is big. We were up and about yesterday for a double-court, competition-grade gym, a learning facility, a performing arts space and other facilities. I have worked on this since when I was a local councillor—over four years ago now—which the principal noted yesterday at that exciting announcement. And there is $5.7 million for Eastern Ranges School. There is plenty more. There is lots more work to do. Only this Andrews Labor government—only this government—delivers for the east real funding.