Tuesday, 3 May 2022

Responses

Ms D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park—Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Minister for Solar Homes) (19:26): Thank you to the member for Polwarth for raising a matter regarding what appear to be conditions that are not ideal in terms of blue-green algae blooms at Peterborough, in the Curdies River. The way I understood the issue that was raised and the action sought, it is a matter that I think I should refer to the Minister for Water, if the member will allow me to refer that to the Minister for Water given that algae bloom there. But if there is an element of the concern or the action that the member is seeking that is relevant to my portfolio, I will definitely be coming back to him on that matter with further information. I take it, though, that his request was for a visit to that area, so allow me to deal with that with the Minister for Water.

If I may turn to the member for Melbourne, the issue that was raised for me was seeking for me to write to whoever is the next federal environment minister to nominate and support a nomination for the Strzelecki koalas to be recognised as vulnerable under commonwealth legislation, by which increased protection would be afforded to them. What I will do is I will seek some advice from my department on that matter in terms of the status of the Strzelecki koalas, and then I will come back to the member for Melbourne on this issue in terms of what steps could be taken if the department’s advice aligns with her description.

If I may go to other matters which have been raised, which I will refer to the appropriate ministers, the member for Warrandyte raised a matter for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety regarding further funding for the Five Ways intersection at Warrandyte South. The member for Broadmeadows raised a matter for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure asking her to join the member in, I suppose, a celebration of the level crossing removal at Glenroy railway station. The member for Gippsland South raised a matter for the Minister for Emergency Services regarding ultralight vehicles at local CFAs in the electorate and some concerns around those ultralight vehicles. The member for St Albans raised a matter for the Minister for Small Business seeking to have an update provided on state budget support and any support that might be available for local traders in her community.

The member for Nepean raised a matter for the Minister for Public Transport seeking an update on the progress or the success of the FlexiRide bus service for his community. The member for Carrum sought an action from the Treasurer, asking that he join her on a tour of the Banyan Fields Primary School and meet with the school community. The member for Mornington raised a matter for the Minister for Planning seeking the calling in of a development application related to a property in Kunyung Road, if that is correct, in Mount Eliza. The member for Yan Yean raised a matter for the Minister for Community Sport seeking that the minister meet with the City of Whittlesea and particularly user groups in the Mernda region to discuss how state government programs may be able to assist with improving or indeed providing new sporting facilities, including an aquatic centre, I understand, for the Mernda area.

The SPEAKER: The house now stands adjourned.

House adjourned 7.30 pm until Wednesday, 11 May.