Tuesday, 29 October 2024

 Sarah CONNOLLY (Laverton) (19:13): (886) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Public and Active Transport, and the action I seek is that the minister updates me on the new bus route that is being developed between Tarneit and Laverton North. As the minister knows, earlier this year $39.7 million was allocated through growth areas infrastructure contribution funding to establish a brand new bus route to connect Tarneit station to Laverton station via new and developing estates in the mighty Truganina and the industrial precinct in Laverton North. As someone who has proudly been advocating for additional bus routes in our growing community, practically since I was first elected, this new route presents a jewel in the crown of what Wyndham’s bus network can be.

Currently folks have made great use of the existing Tarneit North FlexiRide service, and this new fixed route has the potential to close off a major public transport black spot in our local community. Just last week I was down talking to locals and businesses at Trug Central shopping centre, which is located in this new and developing part of our suburb right next to a brand new community centre that we have helped build and not too far from the Truganina North education precinct, which yes, we built and opened this year. Right across the road will one day be a future train station that I am keen to see become a reality. A bus that services this area will do absolute marvels, and that is what this new bus route has the potential to be, which is why I would greatly welcome an update from the minister on where we are at in developing this new route.