Tuesday, 4 February 2025

 Steve McGHIE (Melton) (16:01): As we return from the break it is fantastic to see the momentum behind so many key projects in Melton. This week I had the opportunity to visit the Melton hospital site, Cobblebank secondary school, Melton TAFE college, all the level crossings that are being removed and the Melton station to witness firsthand the incredible progress being made. Last Wednesday, alongside Minister Horne, who is at the table, I visited the new Melton hospital site where Lendlease provided an update on key milestones. The land is being excavated and groundwork is underway, and once it is completed major construction will begin. When finished, the Melton hospital will have the capacity to treat 130,000 patients each year, including nearly 60,000 emergency visits. This is critical infrastructure that will serve our growing and diverse community, ensuring that people can access quality health care close to home.

Beyond health care, we are also seeing significant progress in education and infrastructure. The Melton TAFE site has now been sectioned off and both Cobblebank secondary college and Weir Views primary school are well on track to open in 2026. Transport upgrades are also moving forward. The removal of Melton’s level crossings and the construction of the new station are progressing, with it all set to be completed by 2026. The business case for the Western Freeway has been completed and planning for those upgrades is now underway. Meanwhile the High Street intersections at Coburns Road and Norton Drive are now being completed, further enhancing safety and traffic flow in the area. Melton is transforming rapidly, and the Cobblebank development area will see major changes this year. I encourage all road users to stay alert and follow the safety precautions.