Tuesday, 15 August 2023

Melbourne Airport rail link

Trung LUU (Western Metropolitan) (16:44): (392) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure in the other place. I call on the minister to contact local businesses located near the proposed Keilor East train station and provide them with clarity on whether the Melbourne Airport rail project will proceed. The Leader of the Opposition and I met with Christy, who founded the Essendon Keilor Gymnastics Academy. The academy is well regarded in Melbourne’s west, and I was able to see firsthand not only the outstanding dedication of their staff but also their excellent facilities. Christy outlined how she faced some tough days during COVID lockdown. Thankfully, the academy has bounced back, and today over 2000 young Victorians visit the academy every week to train and exercise. Impressively, five girls have made it into the Australian Gymnastics Competitions pro league.

In February this year Christy was informed that the state government would acquire her academy and bulldoze it to make room for Keilor East train station as part of the Melbourne Airport rail plan. While this situation was not ideal, Christy and her 60 staff understood the need for improved public transport in Melbourne’s west and set about finding a new home for her academy. She has been searching for months for a site which would meet the unique needs of her business. Despite finding several promising sites, she has not been able to take further action because the state government has failed to provide clarity about the future of Melbourne’s airport rail project.

Reports in the media have suggested it has been paused and could even be cancelled. However, Christy and other small businesses in the area near the proposed Keilor East train station have not received any updates from the government. This is simply unacceptable. Small business owners and their staff are completely in the dark and need some certainty. Due to the uncertainty, businesses do not know whether they can invest in capital works, such as a roof replacement, which would cost over $40,000. Existing staff do not know whether they will be forced to look for a new job. This is also impacting local families, who for many years have had to put up with disruptions to their kids’ organised sports and grapple with a heightened level of uncertainty.

I certainly hope the minister can contact local businesses like the Essendon Keilor Gymnastics Academy and provide them with clarity about the status of the Melbourne Airport rail project so they can move forward with confidence. I also hope to meet with the member for Niddrie and hope others in the other place will join me in calling upon the minister to act with certainty.