Tuesday, 7 May 2024

Adjournment

Berwick electorate roads

Brad BATTIN (Berwick) (19:00): (641) My adjournment is for the Treasurer, and the action I seek from the Treasurer is to join me on a drive along Berwick-Cranbourne and Berwick–Narre Warren roads, Thompsons Road and around the Clyde North area to understand the traffic impact of failing to fund the upgrade for the Thompsons Road roundabout, because again we see in this budget that it appears to be missing. It has been delayed, pushed out to 2029, so the hope for the community is that you have got to vote Labor yet again to try and get a roundabout through the area in Clyde North.

Everybody knows down in Clyde North that we have seen a rapid increase in the population through that area, but what we have not seen is the funds come through to ensure that we have got the services that are required and the infrastructure so people do not have to get stuck on Clyde Road and Berwick-Cranbourne Road and can actually get to work or home in a decent time. What people are saying to me at the moment is that when they leave home down in Clyde North it takes as long to get directly to the Princes Highway as it does to get into the city, so it is taking them the same time to travel a few kilometres on one road in Clyde North as it is 45 kilometres on the Monash Freeway. Other members will know the Monash Freeway is not exactly the greatest way to travel, but to get to the Monash Freeway is already a huge challenge. The traffic issues and traffic concerns down there are massive.

So I am saying to the Treasurer: this is the best way to sort this out as fortunately, though some might say unfortunately, none of the local members – the members for Narre Warren North, Narre Warren South or Bass – live in that area and understand what the traffic is like. If our Labor members lived locally, maybe they would understand exactly what it is like to travel on those roads. I invite the Treasurer down. I will take him for a drive in my car along the streets, and we will understand exactly what the impact is on the communities in my area. If the Treasurer will join me, I am sure and confident he will bring that funding forward.