Thursday, 5 October 2023

Western Victoria Region

Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:39): (438) My constituency question is for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure and concerns the heritage-listed Moorabool rail viaduct, a historic steel and bluestone structure constructed in 1860. It is currently leased by the Australian Rail Track Corporation from VicTrack. Minister, the bridge has been repeatedly graffitied, causing substantial damage. This antisocial behaviour does not just cause one-off damage or visually degrade our area – if not dealt with, it will encourage further vandalism. Worse, illegal public access is on the increase. Walkways on the 30-metre-high bridge are dangerous. Police may deal with individual incidents, but without control of access to the site an accident seems inevitable. My constituents have put in great effort with VicTrack and ARTC to seek removal of the graffiti and the security of the site, without result. Minister, what will you do to ensure preservation of its heritage and the safety of the public?