North-Eastern Metropolitan Region
Richard WELCH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:07): (770) My question is for the Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop. It is the government’s plan to use property speculation to build upon existing open areas in the Box Hill area of my electorate, and their concurrent plan is to increase the population of Box Hill by a staggering 47 per cent. To paraphrase the Whitehorse council, the definition of ‘open spaces’ typically includes parks, gardens and reserves. My constituents are rightly concerned that they will have less open space after this project. My question to the minister is: will you guarantee the ratio of population to open space is maintained and the families of Box Hill will not have any less open space per person than they do now as a result of the SRL build and population plan?