Wednesday, 31 May 2023

 Matthew BACH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:03): (223) I have got a question for Minister Carroll today in his capacity as Minister for Public Transport. Will Minister Carroll commit to working with the City of Whittlesea and my community to extend tram route 86 from its intersection with McKimmies Road, Plenty, up to Plenty Valley town centre and the Westfield shops, more specifically. I actually asked this question more than three months ago to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure because it clearly sits within the transport infrastructure portfolio, but after three months Minister Allan eventually responded to me to say that it was not her problem and I should ask Mr Carroll, so I am asking Minister Carroll. This project will provide a huge benefit to about 15,000 residents, who are constituents of mine and yours, President, in Plenty, Mill Park and South Morang. As you know, it has much support from the City of Whittlesea and also from La Trobe University. I know students who are studying there and working close to Westfield would enjoy the much greater connectivity. Too often folks in this part of the world are neglected or ignored. I would like that to cease to be the case. Minister Carroll could conduct a review; he could work with the City of Whittlesea. First and foremost, some sort of response would be fabulous.