Wednesday, 5 February 2025

 Katherine COPSEY (Southern Metropolitan) (14:04): (1337) My question today is also for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. Minister, Chapel Street in Prahran is in my electorate, and my constituents want to know how it and other local shopping strips can have improved access and revitalisation. It is sad to see shopfronts sitting vacant, undermining Prahran’s vibrant local food, drink and creative scene, which is why the Greens have put forward a plan to tax commercial landlords who leave properties vacant, which would raise revenue that could fund direct support for traders, artists and pop-ups in vacant shops. Residents are also concerned about poor pedestrian access, difficult cycling conditions and trams and tram stops that are not accessible for people with mobility issues and wheelchair and pram users. What is the government’s plan to revitalise Chapel Street, bring more foot traffic and increase dwell time on the street to improve the vitality of the strip and to make it fully accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, tram users and locals?