Wednesday, 22 February 2023

 Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:42): (37) My constituency question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure in the other place, and it concerns the actual basis on which level crossing sites are planned for removal in Melbourne’s north. Is it based on risk, and is it independent of political bias? The Australian newspaper has made a comparison of 121 level crossing removals planned across the state or removed against the most dangerous level crossings according to the Australian level crossing assessment model. It showed us the riskiest level crossings with no plans for removal, most of which are in my electorate, including the Macauley Road level crossing in Kensington, the Gaffney Street level crossing in Coburg North and the Puckle Street level crossing in Moonee Ponds on the Craigieburn line. Can the minister finally shed some light on why risk factors have not been taken into account on the selection of level crossing removal locations in Melbourne’s north?