Tuesday, 19 March 2024

Adjournment

Glen Huntly level crossing removals

David SOUTHWICK (Caulfield) (19:00): (581) My adjournment is to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, and the action I seek is that the minister direct the Level Crossing Removal Project to fix the old, unusable track between Caulfield and Glen Huntly stations. This track was part of the Glen Huntly level crossing removal and was not replaced. It is noncompliant and is causing terrible screeching every time a train goes past the track for all of the residents that live around the area. Now, the Glen Huntly level crossing removals – the two removals – were really important projects, and despite the minister’s alternate viewpoint, they were something that I advocated for for many years, on record here in Hansard and publicly with the residents, and I am glad that the government finally removed them. But when you do a project, you have got to do it properly. And unfortunately with the millions of dollars that was spent on removing the level crossing, they did not replace that vital track that would allow the trains to move smoothly between Glen Huntly and Caulfield stations. This is –

Members interjecting.

David SOUTHWICK: I can hear the interjections from the government. They are not living next to these railway tracks and having to experience the horrific noise that these residents do each and every day. This is not a funny matter; this is not a joke. This is quite serious, and I would ask the government to take this seriously. I met with 40 residents only last week in Derby Crescent that were absolutely beside themselves having to deal with this each and every day. I ask the minister to fix the problem, remove the track and put in upgraded track that is compliant – 400 metres worth, I believe – and also while they are at it, ensure that there is proper greenery restored where a lot of the trees were taken out as part of the removal project.

Finally, on top of all of that, as part of this upgrade there is talk about a bike lane which is going to cost lots of money and that there is still no home for – because Queens Avenue did not want the bike lane – and the latest talk is for Derby Crescent to get it. I think, simply put, let us just fix the problem of the unusable tracks. Let us fix the greenery and fix the open space, and I think everybody and the residents would be very, very happy with it. We do not need more bike facilities and to spend the money in a cost-of-living crisis. Let us do what we promised and ensure the level crossing is done properly and that residents can actually get on with their lives and sleep at night and not have to listen to the screeching trains each and every night outside their bedroom doors.