Transport infrastructure
Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:24): (94) My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure in the other place. I believe it is to Minister Shing. This is an issue I have raised before, but it is still unattended to and the danger to drivers is still very real. The housing affordability crisis has seen a huge growth in western Gippsland, with a corresponding increase in traffic issues. Instead of a proper approach to fixing the traffic issues, they have been dealt with by just lowering the speed limits, which is not really a bandaid fix as it causes other issues, such as the compacting of traffic and speed differentials approaching 30 kilometres an hour. One of the biggest issues is the Princes Freeway between Nar Nar Goon and Bunyip, which includes the Gumbuya World entrance and exit. The multiple speed zones as well as variable speed zones create confusion and frustration amongst drivers. There is no plan to attend to this and people are becoming frustrated at the lack of hope for a solution. So my question is: will the government commit as a matter of urgency to funding the studies required to implement a proper fix with new infrastructure instead of continuing to endanger the lives of road users with the current piecemeal approach?
Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Water, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Minister for Equality) (12:25): Thanks, Mr Bourman, for that question. I am just pondering – and, President, you might be able to assist with this – whether this is appropriately a question for the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure or the Minister for Roads and Road Safety.
The PRESIDENT: I think Mr Bourman is happy for it to go to transport infrastructure.
Harriet SHING: Terrific. All right, Mr Bourman, on that basis I will seek an answer for you in accordance with the standing orders.