West Gate Tunnel
Katie HALL (Footscray) (19:15): (1198) The action I seek is for the Minister for Environment to join me in a meeting with the Maribyrnong Truck Action Group. The West Gate Tunnel Project is set to open later this year. Road tunnels can help reduce air pollution by moving traffic off local roads, and I know residents are excited about the forthcoming truck bans. Victoria’s air quality requirements are among the highest standards in the world, and the project’s tunnel ventilation system has been designed according to stringent air quality standards. The design has been approved by the independent scientists at the EPA. In saying that, the most important thing to me as a member of Parliament, as a local resident and as a mum is that there is no undue anxiety or concern regarding the project’s ventilation system. I respect the technical expertise of the scientists who have assessed this project and approved it, and I note that there are no systems in Australia that use filtration technology. However, I strongly believe that everyone has the right to be heard and to present their ideas directly to decision-makers. I believe it is my job as Footscray’s MP to facilitate that, and I would appreciate the minister taking the time to talk to residents and listen to their perspectives.