Tuesday, 7 May 2024

Mordialloc electorate level crossing removals

Tim RICHARDSON (Mordialloc) (19:18): (650) My adjournment this evening is for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, and the action I seek is for the minister to update my community on the progress of works for the Parkdale level crossing removals. This is a significant upgrade for my community along the Frankston train line. The Allan Labor government is committed to a level crossing free Frankston train line, and it was the Andrews government that started this significant investment in our local community. A lot of people said at the time that removing level crossings on the Frankston line was a dream – that it would not occur, it would not happen. Now we see the commitment to transform these communities, to transform these precincts, but also the creation of thousands of jobs that support a pipeline of investment, and we hear constantly of the multiplier effect and benefit that that provides where precincts are upgraded and more aspiration comes into the areas when they are revitalised.

The Parkdale level crossings are two level crossings at Warrigal Road and Parkers Road. We hit the halfway point recently. The piers have gone up, the beams are going in and we have seen that transformation take place – the greater open space outcomes and the safety improvements. We have seen a lot of near misses through there. There are 20,000 vehicles that pass through there on average each and every day, and this is one of the more highly populated areas for education in our area with a number of schools and a lot of people coming into the region as well. So it makes sense to improve those safety outcomes. But also with the metro rail tunnel expected to come on line next year we want to make sure that we can run more services and not be impacted by the boom gates being down for longer, creating greater congestion and having an impact on safety. Removing the Parkdale level crossings makes sense. It is a real transformational project, and it will make our community more accessible and safer.

I want to give a big shout-out to the traders who are doing it tough during this time, but Parkdale people support their village. They turn up each and every day, and we see people coming from far and wide to make sure the traders and businesses are supported during this time. I want to give a shout-out to two businesses – a brand new Greek restaurant in Parkdale and Hello Annie, a clothing store – that have opened up during the construction works. That is the confidence that businesses have in Parkdale, to open up during construction works. It shows what Parkdale has to offer and how great the village community is. We are really looking forward to how those works will transform the area. My adjournment this evening is for the transport infrastructure minister, and it is to ask for an update on the level crossing removal outcomes at Parkdale.