Thursday, 23 June 2022

 Mr LEANE (Eastern Metropolitan—Minister for Local Government, Minister for Suburban Development, Minister for Veterans) (12:36): Last week I was pleased to visit some excellent projects currently being delivered through the suburban development program. On Tuesday I was in Mordialloc with Tim Richardson, good MP, and Meng Heang Tak, good MP, to visit some of the sites where Kingston council have utilised COVID-safe outdoor activation funding, including a temporary road closure and parklet in Owen Street. The parklet has been so successful that mayor Cr Steve Staikos confirmed they are going to permanently close that section of Owen Street, upgrade the outdoor furniture and lighting, install bike racks and extend landscaping into a permanent gathering place for visitors to the Mordialloc shops and the dining precinct.

I was also pleased to visit the Springvale Boulevard project with Dr Tien Kieu, good MP, and Lee Tarlamis, good MP, and Meng Heang Tak was there as well—good MP times two. The mayor of Dandenong and Cr Richard Lim were proud to show us the major streetscape improvements undertaken by the council to Springvale Road in the Springvale shopping precinct. The Andrews Labor government has supported the project through the suburban revitalisation program allocated in this year’s budget. It was fantastic. The final designs reflect the diverse cultures in Springvale, and the improvements have greatly benefited traders and visitors in the area. I know Professor Kieu had a conversation with a lot of traders there after I left, and they cannot wait for this project to be completed in coming months.