Wednesday, 25 May 2022

Adjournment

Mont Albert and Surrey Hills train stations

Mr R SMITH (Warrandyte) (19:00): (6376) My adjournment matter tonight is for the attention of the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, and the action I seek is for the minister to release the detailed plans of the planned Union railway station designs and meet with concerned local residents to discuss the impacts the proposed design will have. Following the 2018 election the Premier and the now member for Box Hill made the commitment that their government would, in removing the level crossings at Mont Albert and Surrey Hills, keep two railway stations at the existing sites. Since then Victorians have learned all too well what the Premier’s word is worth: absolutely nothing.

In December 2020 the Premier, the member for Box Hill and the minister announced an unwelcome Christmas present to local residents: that there would be a new combined station, to be called Union station. This announcement apparently came as a result of supposed extensive engineering and technical investigations which I am sure will never see the light of day. Since then, despite the government’s spin, the project has caused much concern for residents as the government have had next to no consultation with residents, resulting in legal action being brought against the government. Eighteen months later residents still have yet to have any access to detailed plans for the new station. It is still unknown as to the building’s footprint, setbacks or even the building heights. What is known is that the station will be just 4.5 metres from people’s homes. In addition 700 trees, some over 100 years old, are planned to be cut down, seeing local streets lose their green canopy.

The member for Box Hill has been asked to meet with residents, but he is nowhere to be seen. He is refusing to advocate for his constituents or even meet with them. Fortunately, though, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The Liberal candidate for Box Hill, Nicole Werner, is prepared to step up, already showing residents that she will speak for them and support them. In the few short months since her preselection Box Hill residents can see that she will be a representative who is actually prepared to stand in their corner.

It is patently clear that the government is aware that this project does not quite stack up and will cause a multitude of problems, since local residents have already been offered to be relocated by the level crossing removal authority. This is another case of, ‘Don’t listen to what Labor says but look at what they do’. Now, the Office of the Victorian Government Architect have stated that they have serious concerns about the direction of the design of Union station, and the level crossing removal authority has warned the architect not to instigate any contact or respond to any queries from the general public about their concerns for the project. As an aside, I wonder if the architect’s comments are what led to a significant cut to her office’s funding in the recent budget.

This is a rushed project aimed at justifying another glossy press release, all the while ignoring the wishes of local communities who will be affected the most. Once again I acknowledge the work of Liberal candidate for Box Hill, Nicole Werner, who will step up for residents as the current member steps away from them. There is no doubt that Box Hill residents will be far better served by Ms Werner as their representative.