Wednesday, 8 February 2023

 Daniela DE MARTINO (Monbulk) (19:30): (30) I wish to raise a matter with the Minister for Public Transport. The action that I seek is for the minister join me at Belgrave station to view the extraordinary work being carried out under the car parks for commuters program. Belgrave station is a cornerstone of our community’s local transport network for both buses and trains. Indeed we have seen increased patronage across Belgrave line as growing numbers of people opt to take the train to their destinations. For those commuting into the city from Belgrave, Monbulk, Emerald and the smaller surrounding towns the stress of finding a car park at Belgrave station in the morning has long been an issue. I am so very proud that the Andrews Labor government has seen this need and addressed it.

We are doing what matters in the Dandenong Ranges by building a multilevel 640-space car park that will include 16 new accessible parking spots, an undercover pick-up drop-off area and a trial of electronic vehicle parking. And in keeping with Belgrave’s embracement of the arts, a mural by local primary school children has just been completed at the station. The Andrews Labor government has a strong track record – pardon the pun – on investment in public transport, from the removal of 85 dangerous and congested level crossings by 2025 to the Metro Tunnel and the Suburban Rail Loop. This kind of ongoing investment in public transport is unparalleled.

I welcome these crucial works in our local community to improve public transport usability and accessibility as well as the improvements they will provide to the safety and security of commuters. I would welcome the minister joining me to see firsthand the positive impacts that our government’s commitments will make for Dandenong Ranges commuters.