Thursday, 20 February 2020

Box Hill electorate

Mr HAMER (Box Hill) (11:48): (1917) My constituency question is for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. What is the latest information on the planned level crossing removals at Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert, and Union Road, Surrey Hills? The boom gates at these sites can be down for up to 40 per cent of the morning peak, when up to 53 trains run through the crossings. The Union Road level crossing was the site of two tragic fatalities in 2016.

Residents of the Box Hill electorate have been calling for the removal of these two dangerous and congested crossings and were pleased to see that these were announced during the 2018 election campaign. Removal of these level crossings will also mean that between the city and Ringwood the Belgrave-Lilydale line will be level crossing free, paving the way for a turn-up-and-go service for all commuters along the line. In July 2019 geotechnical investigations started on these two important projects, and residents in Mont Albert and Surrey Hills are keen to find out the next stages of the project so that they can provide their input.