Thursday, 4 August 2022

Level crossing removals

Dr CUMMING (Western Metropolitan) (12:04): My question is to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure in the other place. When will the level crossing at Yarraville be added to the list? I have raised this matter of the level crossing numerous times. In 2015 the strategic framework for the prioritisation of level crossings revealed Yarraville and Spotswood level crossings were among the worst in the state for boom gate closures and safety risks. Both were listed amongst the 45 priorities, yet neither made the initial list of 50 grade separations. At that time the minister’s spokesperson said they were not identified for removal in the first 50 but would be considered in the future. Seven years later and 85 crossings have been named for removal, yet Yarraville and Spotswood are still not on the list. When will the west be prioritised in the way of level crossings?

Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Resources) (12:05): I thank Dr Cumming for her question and her interest in transport infrastructure in the Western Metropolitan Region. I will seek a written response to that question from Minister Allan, the Deputy Premier, as requested, in accordance with our standing orders.

Dr CUMMING (Western Metropolitan) (12:05): I look forward to Minister Allan’s response. It would seem that I get a lot of responses from you, Ms Pulford, rather than Ms Allan.

Ms Pulford: On a point of order, President, perhaps for clarification, when members seek a response to a question in a portfolio that a minister is representing in, it is the custom and the tradition—and I think even the rules of the house, in terms of our bicameral system—that the response comes in our name in our capacity of representing, in this instance Minister Allan. But I want to reassure you that that advice and that answer come from the minister through us, and that is how that happens. So they are not from me as such, though they are tabled in our house in my name.

Dr CUMMING: I appreciate that clarification because even the table office could not give me that level of detail. Will the minister consider providing a solution for the Yarraville level crossing similar to the one that was done at the North Williamstown station? Yarraville has also been shown to have the state’s fourth-highest rate of fatalities, serious injuries, collisions and near misses. Yarraville boom gates are down for up to 30 minutes each hour during peak periods, with up to 20 trains passing through hourly—the third worst rate in the state. This government has conducted traffic studies on Anderson Street and has had police working with schools and pedestrians regularly for safety. We need action now in the west. We need this level crossing removed. We need an innovative solution. It should not be put in the too-hard basket. The west deserves the same level of attention as the eastern suburbs when it comes to level crossing removals. We have been forgotten far too often.

Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Resources) (12:07): Thank you—

Dr Cumming: When will the level crossing at Yarraville be added to the list? That is my question.

Ms PULFORD: Right. I was looking for the question there, but I think by interjection we have just heard that. I will again seek advice from Minister Allan, and there will be a response provided in accordance with our customs and practice and standing orders.