Tuesday, 21 June 2022

 Mr R SMITH (Warrandyte) (19:00): (6426) Tonight I wish to raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Planning, and the action I seek is for him to meet with local residents affected by the Union Road level crossing removal project and discuss their concerns. Last month I raised concerns with the Minister for Transport Infrastructure in this place regarding the design and the way in which the project has been managed by the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP). I have been in contact with local residents, and the energetic and very capable Liberal candidate for Box Hill, Nicole Werner, has kept me updated and informed on the project.

Serious concerns have been raised by the Victorian government’s own architect, Jill Garner, about the design of the consolidated Union station, but despite the minister himself committing to make the government architect’s assessments publicly available, this work has been withheld from the public. This is very concerning for local residents, who have never seen any of the detailed plans in relation to the station even though the station will be on their doorstep, 5 metres high and just 4.5 metres from their front doors. In a further demonstration of secrecy, after the LXRP provided a briefing to Whitehorse city councillors on 30 May, and despite repeated requests from the councillors, the authority has failed to provide any of those plans to council themselves. This has caused Whitehorse City Council to take the unprecedented step of writing to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure and the LXRP CEO to get this information, and now the council has passed an urgent motion to take further action regarding the failure to provide these plans.

The Victorian Ombudsman, Ms Deborah Glass, has opened a case on the matter and is investigating the withholding of plans and images that would help the community better understand the incredible impact the station will have on their lives. I say again, despite residents begging for help and information, even after I raised this matter here in Parliament last month, the member for Box Hill is refusing to meet with these desperate residents. Over 700 people have signed a petition calling for the release of these documents, and you would have thought this would elicit some response from the government, because the absolute minimum that any community should expect from their member of Parliament is that their MP listens to them, talks to them and is their representative to government. In short, the job of a member is to be in their residents’ corner. But if Mr Hamer—

The SPEAKER: Order! Correct titles.

Mr R SMITH: the member for Box Hill, is insisting on staying in hiding, then perhaps this job is not the right one for him. If listening and showing concern or even a shred of empathy is beyond him, perhaps it is time for a change. My request again is for the Minister for Planning to meet with residents, and if he can be found, perhaps the member for Box Hill can go with him.

But while the Andrews Labor government remains committed to secrecy and a lack of transparency, a Liberal government, come this election, will audit this project and bring any dodgy dealings into the spotlight. Our Liberal candidate for Box Hill, Nicole Werner, if elected, will always be available for residents and be honest and up front with them, because the residents of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert deserve no less.