Thursday, 6 February 2020

Ministers statements: level crossing removals

Mr ANDREWS (Mulgrave—Premier) (11:33): I am delighted to rise to update the house on the progress that the government is making in removing congested and dangerous level crossings. Of particular interest to honourable members, I am sure none more so than the member for Carrum, is the removal of three dangerous level crossings in her local community. The member for Carrum has done an outstanding job in advocating to her community and working with them to remove these deathtraps, these dangerous and congested level crossings, to build new stations, to create jobs and to transform that part of her busy community.

Now, it is fair to say that some have not necessarily been as supportive of the project as the member for Carrum. It is very pleasing, though, and the member for Carrum informs me that she has had some people come through her office and they indicated to her: ‘Look, it looks amazing. Thank you. We had our doubts, but we’re convinced that it’s come up wonderfully. It’s going so well. Our community will be changed forever and for the better’.

Now, there are many, many people who do not think that getting rid of level crossings, improving traffic management, having a safer environment and providing multiple new stations that are accessible for every single Victorian—some people are absolutely opposed to that. I can remember one person who was absolutely—I cannot think of an adequate descriptor to do justice to the level of opposition that she had to the removal of these level crossings. It was not like she did not know the area. She used to have an office down there on Nepean Highway—absolutely root and branch opposed. They were the worst things that she had ever seen—terrible things. Well, we are getting on and delivering this, because it is the right thing to do. What is more, one might ask the question: what has happened to that principal opponent of these level crossing removals? I never thought I would do it, but can I quote the member for Kew by simply saying, ‘The people don’t get it wrong’. All the best to you, Inga!