Thursday, 13 November 2025

 Alison MARCHANT (Bellarine) (19:16): (1406) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Public and Active Transport, and the action I seek is for the minister to provide an update on how the recent announcement of the new bus route from Lara station to Avalon Airport will benefit the Bellarine and Geelong region, with that additional part of the Bellarine bus review.

It was my pleasure to be at Avalon Airport on Monday with the Premier and other local Geelong MPs and the Minister for Public and Active Transport to celebrate a series of exciting announcements for our region. From March next year Jetstar are going to reintroduce flights from Avalon to Bali, launch new Avalon-to-Adelaide services and increase the frequency of flights to Brisbane. Complementing the expansion of these flight options was the introduction of route 18, a new bus connecting Lara station with Avalon Airport and creating an easier and more direct access for travellers and for commuters going out to the precinct. This is a fantastic outcome for the community, and I congratulate also the member for Lara.

The expanded flight schedule has improved our transport connections and is going to make it far more convenient for our local residents, reducing the need to travel to Melbourne for flights but also encouraging more visitors to fly directly into our Greater Geelong region. But importantly, this announcement has come at an opportune time, aligning with the upcoming Bellarine bus network review, which is going to explore ways to enhance our public transport across the peninsula. Strengthening these local connections is vital to ensuring that both residents and visitors can easily access the Bellarine’s outstanding attractions, so I look forward to the minister’s update and sharing the benefits of this initiative with the Bellarine community.