Tuesday, 16 May 2023

Hurstbridge train line

Nicholas McGOWAN (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (17:26): (213) My adjournment is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, and it relates to the lack of community consultation –

Bev McArthur: To the King.

Nicholas McGOWAN: no, not for the King, not for King Charles III – and the upgrade of the Hurstbridge line and in particular the new station at Montmorency and the new path. The action I seek is for the minister to provide an update to the community on the changes to the design concept of Montmorency station, the design of the shared pathway between Greensborough and Montmorency and to keep the community abreast of any changes that will occur in the future.

Concerned residents have constantly, it would be fair to say, been asking for the government to provide clear and precise consultation regarding the Hurstbridge line upgrade. Unfortunately this does not appear to have eventuated. Local residents have been in contact with my office advising that they have tried contacting the relevant government departments and agencies to voice their frustrations at the lack of community consultation around this project.

Bev McArthur: Is that inside or outside the tram tracks?

Nicholas McGOWAN: They are inside, I am guessing. They have made repeated attempts to engage the relevant authorities, with no or little success. As part of the Hurstbridge duplication the Montmorency station is being replaced; however, the community has not been properly consulted regarding the design concepts of this station. Originally the station was to be upgraded; however, the station is being totally redesigned, relocated and a portion of the vegetation removed. There also appears to be confusion between the government agencies as to what information has and can be given to the community. In an article dated 8 April 2023 in the Whittlesea Leader the level crossing removal program director stated that the:

… final designs have been shared with the community … we always take into account the unique local feel of the area when designing stations, including at Montmorency …

However, the Level Crossing Removal Project have previously stated to residents that they do not provide detailed drawing documents and plans to the public. Lack of community consultation is a constant theme of the Daniel Andrews government, be it the level crossing removals, road upgrades or injecting rooms, to name just a few. Putting a link on a website asking for community consultation is not good enough. The government needs to meet with the community and provide them with more transparent information. The government has listed the Hurstbridge line upgrade on its Engage Victoria website. The website states the following:

Engage Victoria is designed to be used by the Victorian Public Service … for consultation on policy or projects where there is a meaningful opportunity for the public to influence and shape outcomes through providing feedback.

It appears listing a project on this site is just a tick-in-the-box exercise to cover the government’s obligation to conduct so-called community consultation. The public should have every opportunity to influence and shape the outcome that is going to affect them, their community, their neighbourhood and their street. It is important to keep an open dialogue with residents that are affected by changes which the government is implementing The government is certainly not achieving this nor its statement of upholding high standards in public engagement.