Wednesday, 8 June 2022

 Mr HAYES (Southern Metropolitan) (09:49): The government might not listen, but I will. Over the past few weeks I have met with over 30 different resident and community groups. From planning and transport infrastructure issues to environmental concerns, it is clear that the government does not want to talk to communities. At nearly every single meeting it has been the same feedback: communities are locked out of genuine and meaningful interaction. Community consultation is a tick-the-box exercise—one way, no real listening.

Take the Sunbury residents who have been excluded from any consultation with the EPA over toxic waste dumps next to their homes, a process that has now been slammed by the Ombudsman; Surrey Hills residents who have no idea what is being built next to their homes—a huge new train station where the design is apparently a secret and only the government is allowed to know what it is; fast-tracked planning applications with no avenue for appeal; inadequate time frames or approvals released the day before Christmas, like the Caulfield Racecourse debacle; Gippsland sand mining projects that have not been subjected to any environmental engagement prior to the project design; and riverside camping approvals with no direct engagement with the actual farmers.

Where is the due diligence? The process seems to be the wrong way around: ‘Let’s approve the project and then ask for input afterwards, or, even better, not at all’. Residents are being excluded. Where is the independence, transparency and accountability of the government?