Wednesday, 14 August 2024

 Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (19:10): (1061) My adjournment is directed towards the Minister for Transport Infrastructure in the other place, and the action I seek is for the minister to provide a clear construction timeline for the Watson Street interchange in Wallan. It sure was interesting to see the member for Yan Yean Ms Kathage and the federal member for McEwen Rob Mitchell claiming credit for the completion of a business case for the Watson Street interchange. The business case is not available to the public, and even if we are to accept the fact that it has now been completed, it was promised to be completed, according to Major Road Projects Victoria, in early 2024. Last time I checked it was August.

Even though they were late, at least they previously gave us a rough date. The official project timeline in the project overview now says planning work continues in mid to late 2024, with no timeline on when construction will begin. Major Road Projects Victoria itself acknowledges that the project is jointly funded by a $50 million 2019 contribution by the then federal Liberal government. All the Albanese government and Rob Mitchell have done is delay the project by over a year by placing the Liberals’ $50 million contribution into a review of infrastructure projects.

We all know that Labor’s promise of $130 million at the election towards the Watson Street interchange was a lie. It was only after the election that we found out in these documents that it was inclusive of the Liberals’ $50 million contribution. They penny-pinched it back to $80 million. Ms Kathage and Ros Spence need to be straight with the community about whether there is also funding to upgrade Watson Street as part of the interchange. There is a lot of chatter in the community about this. The state government are setting compulsory housing targets of over 300 per cent for Wallan, so without an upgrade to Watson Street this will leave Wallan residents stuck in traffic gridlock.

I have been out in the community with the federal Liberal candidate for McEwen Jason McClintock, a genuine fighter for the community and for McEwen residents. I repeat my action, which is to seek an update from the minister on when Wallan residents can expect this project to be completed and if Watson Street is included in the upgrade.