Tuesday, 30 August 2022

 Mr FOWLES (Burwood) (15:21): Well, the season is upon us. I rise to voice my support for the level crossing removals at Dublin Road, Ringwood East, and Bedford Road, Ringwood, in the heart of my community. We all know the terrific work of the Andrews Labor government in this domain. We are getting on and removing dangerous and congested level crossings, getting the traffic flowing and the trains moving. Not one, not five, not 10 but 85 dangerous and congested level crossings are going for good. Those opposite said it was too ambitious and could never be done, but here we are, ahead of schedule and improving the lives of commuters right across our city, and Ringwood will not be missing out. Already level crossings at Blackburn, Nunawading, Mitcham and Heatherdale are gone. The next ones to go are at Bedford Road, Ringwood, and Dublin Road, Ringwood East.

On Friday the updated designs were released, and, boy, are they sensational. We are building a brand new East Ringwood station with all the bells and whistles, including a new forecourt connecting the station to the Railway Avenue shops and expanded car parking, with lighting, CCTV and accessibility upgrades. At Bedford Road we are extending the Heathmont rail trail to Bedford Park, finally fixing this missing link that cyclists, joggers and walkers have long advocated for. We are planting thousands of new plants, shrubs and trees too, keeping the level crossing removals in character with the local neighbourhood and the lush greenery we all know and love. I have also been working hard with the Minister for Transport Infrastructure to ensure not a single public park or oval is used as a laydown area during construction, which I know is terrific news for my community.

I am excited for these crossings to be gone for good. Only an Andrews Labor government will get it done.