Thursday, 4 December 2025

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (17:39): (1469) My adjournment is for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, and the action I am seeking is for the minister to visit Guide Dogs Victoria to hear firsthand their concerns about the impacts of the North East Link on their important work. Late last month Guide Dogs Victoria shared with me their formal submission to the urban design and landscape plan consultation process. This submission outlines in detail the challenges which the current proposal poses to Guide Dogs operations, as well as the wellbeing of their clients and guide dogs in training. The Guide Dogs site is located directly south of the Eastern Freeway and the Chandler Highway interchange. The site has recently undergone a $33 million redevelopment and is only now beginning to realise the full benefits of that investment. However, for the proper operation of Guide Dogs it is critical that the final design maintains the highest possible standard of amenity for the site, particularly in relation to noise and vibration impacts.

Guide Dogs has had a number of concerns regarding the construction and the design of the North East Link works. First, Guide Dogs is concerned about the immediate impact which the construction of the North East Link will have on their operation. Construction activity within the Chandler Highway interchange area has the potential to generate short-term noise and vibration impacts that will be harmful to their operations. That is why Guide Dogs is requesting appropriate timing, monitoring and communication protocols to avoid disruption during training hours.

In addition, Guide Dogs has a number of concerns relating to the final design of the project. As it currently stands, the noise wall treatment appears to terminate before the frontage of Guide Dogs, leaving only a vegetated border and an elevation change as separation. However, the training and the welfare of the guide dogs themselves rely on calm, predictable and low-distraction environments. Unpredictable or sustained noise elevates stress levels, triggers anxiety behaviours and interferes with their learning. As a result, Guide Dogs is concerned that a lack of noise walls means their site will directly be exposed to increased noise vibrations and movement from the freeway, significantly interfering with their operations and ability to train the dogs.

Guide Dogs is also concerned that it is yet to be confirmed whether directional shielding will be used to prevent light from leaking into the facilities. Because guide dog training activities frequently occur during low-light periods, excess or misdirected light may disrupt animal behaviour and compromise the calm environment needed for guide dog conditioning. Guide Dogs’ submission includes 10 ‍recommendations which will assist the urban design and landscape plan to protect and maintain the guide dog facilities.

Minister, Guide Dogs provides vital support for Victorians with low vision or blindness. It empowers people to achieve their unique goals with whatever mobility aids or training is necessary. This important work will be put at risk if the North East Link construction fails to accommodate the needs of the specialised nature of the training of the dogs. That is why I am asking the minister to visit Guide Dogs Victoria to discuss the impacts of the North East Link and work with them to ensure that the construction and the design do not interfere with the training of guide dogs.