Wednesday, 14 August 2024

 Sonja TERPSTRA (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:51): I rise to update the house about an exciting event that I attended on Monday morning in Croydon. It was a real pleasure to attend the official opening of the Croydon train station. Croydon train station reopened to passengers as local commuters were able to access the first train into the city on the Lilydale line. The Lilydale line, as a result of this level crossing removal, is the first rail line in the Melbourne to become level crossing free. I just want to give a shout-out to Josh Bull, our Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and for our important transport infrastructure projects, for coming along and celebrating the opening with me as well. I am very pleased to say that there were many, many commuters who took great delight in accessing free cupcakes and coffee vouchers, and they were truly happy to see what a beautiful station it actually is. The station is now fully accessible and features two elevated platforms, lifts, toilets and a heated waiting room as well. The station precinct will also feature 650 metres of new walking and cycling paths and more than 70,000 new trees, shrubs and grasses. I cannot wait to attend the community planting day with the local community members and school students as well. More than 1600 people use the Croydon station daily, and 72,000 passengers use the Lilydale–Belgrave line each weekday, making it the second busiest rail line in the metropolitan network. I am pleased to say that the new bus interchange will also be completed in spring.