Wednesday, 11 May 2022

McMahons Road–Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully

Mr TAYLOR (Bayswater) (19:11): (6351) I wish to raise a matter for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. Given the minister has seen it firsthand just this week, the action I seek is for the minister to provide my community with information and detail on what difference the upgrade of the intersection of McMahons Road and Burwood Highway will make to members of the community who use this intersection each and every single day.

As Jennifer Lopez once said, ‘Let’s get loud’, because I tell you what, I am going to get loud about this and I am going to get louder. I am immensely proud that in the budget, in black and white, is funding to finally fix the intersection of McMahons Road and Burwood Highway in Ferntree Gully. I am so proud that we have delivered this funding, which will deliver lights and will fully signalise the intersection, making it safer for locals and for everyone who uses that part of the world. As I said, with funding secured in the budget, planning starts now and importantly ends the talkfest, the years of empty promises by others, and I am so proud that it is a state Labor government that is getting on with this crucial work. This upgrade will of course mean safer access for pedestrians and safer turns into and out of McMahons Road, across Burwood Highway and into Clyde Street on the other side. It really is a game changer for this part of the world.

Of course I was proud to be out in the community, with over 600 signatures and many, many conversations with locals. I tell you what, I heard loud and clear, ‘Get it done, and get on with it’—and that is exactly what we are doing. It was crystal clear that there have been enough promises, and those promises of course are now a thing of the past with the state Labor government putting money in the budget, in black and white, to make sure we deliver the fix to this intersection. Delivering roads is one of my biggest priorities, and with massive funding announcements of course this builds—McMahons Road builds—on the Andrews Labor government’s work locally, whether that is the Bedford and Canterbury roads intersection, the Alchester Village intersection, the Heathmont and Canterbury roads intersection, resurfacing our major roads or public transport at Boronia station, Bayswater station and Heathmont station. I could go on, but it is an adjournment debate—and I am running out of time as well. But look, can I just say thank you again to everyone who supported my campaign.

Mr Wynne interjected.

Mr TAYLOR: I will get back to that, Minister, I promise. Thank you, everyone, for supporting my campaign. Thank you to the minister for listening. It is a massive win for locals and for road safety. I am glad that there are others who are talking this up and who are just as excited that the Andrews Labor government are getting on with this. And again, for the good minister, I am asking the minister to of course provide information and detail on what difference the upgrade to this intersection at McMahons Road and Burwood Highway will make for the many members of my community.