Tuesday, 30 July 2024

Ministers statements: pedestrian safety

Melissa HORNE (Williamstown – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Roads and Road Safety) (14:39): I ‍rise today to update the house on this government’s investment into making our roads safer for some of our most vulnerable road users, pedestrians. Tragically, this year 28 pedestrians have lost their lives on Victorian roads.

A member interjected.

Melissa HORNE: Let us not politicise this, please. This is a 40 per cent increase on the number of pedestrians who had lost their lives at the same time last year. A $23 million investment will improve pedestrian safety for all pedestrians but in particular our youngest travellers, those walking to and from school. This important investment will see 29 locations across the state upgraded where we know pedestrians are at higher risk. We will be making improvements to these locations with infrastructure upgrades, including zebra crossings, raised intersections – also known as wombat crossings – and pedestrian-operated signals.

Jacinta Allan interjected.

Melissa HORNE: That is what they are called. We have worked closely with local councils to identify the projects to be delivered. I am sure the member for Pascoe Vale will be pleased that we are installing a raised intersection and two crossings to make it safer for students crossing the Essex Street–Landells Road intersection. I also visited Rouse Street and Esplanade East with the member for Albert Park earlier this year, where we are installing a raised pedestrian crossing and kerb extensions. Last year I visited Mill Park Secondary College with the member for Mill Park, and I am sure she is pleased to hear that we will be delivering a wombat crossing at Moorhead Drive. Member for Polwarth, it is good to see you back in the chamber. You will be excited that at North Torquay wombat crossings are being installed at intersections along the Fischer Street pedestrian link. Lastly, one for the member for Mildura: in Merbein we are delivering improved pedestrian connections to schools, including Merbein P–10 College and Our Lady primary. These are only a handful of investments that we are seeing across the state with the improvements to be completed.