Thursday, 5 March 2026

 David HODGETT (Croydon) (10:28): I rise to address the scheduled maintenance works on the Belgrave, Lilydale and Alamein train lines, which will see buses replacing trains across the Labour Day long weekend during one of the busiest periods on Melbourne’s events calendar. A local commuter raised this issue with me last week. Then the matter surfaced on the 3AW ‘Rumour file’ on Tuesday morning, and unlike some in this place, I do listen to the ‘Rumour file’. It was then reported in the Herald Sun on Wednesday, and I have been waiting patiently to raise it in the house today. From Friday 6 March to last service on Sunday 8 March, trains will be replaced by buses between Parliament and Box Hill on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines and between Camberwell and Alamein on the Alamein line.

This weekend will see hundreds of thousands of people travelling to the Australian Grand Prix, including international visitors; the Moomba festival, with its fireworks; the opening round of the AFL at the MCG between Collingwood and St Kilda; concerts at Rod Laver Arena; and the usual theatre and entertainment offerings that make Melbourne a global event city. While maintenance is necessary, it is difficult to understand how anyone could consider this weekend an appropriate time for such significant disruptions, with commuters facing delays, confusion and overcrowding on replacement buses. The decision reflects poor planning and a lack of regard for the needs of the travelling public. Public transport is critical to the success of these events, and Melbourne deserves better than avoidable disruptions on a weekend when our city is on the world stage.