Thursday, 19 June 2025

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Suburban Rail Loop

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:01): (957) My question is to Minister Shing, the minister for the SRL. I refer to the government’s forced acquisition under the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act, listed in the Government Gazette of 8 May, of the whole of the land and the buildings of the Waverley RSL sub-branch. I ask: given the 75-year history of the sub-branch, founded in September 1950, what guarantee will be provided that the sub-branch will be able to successfully acquire new land and relocate, and that its critical services supporting returned services personnel will not be interrupted or compromised?

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Housing and Building, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts) (12:01): Thank you very much, Mr Davis, for the opportunity to talk to some of the very careful engagement that we are undertaking across the entire corridor of the Suburban Rail Loop East, from Cheltenham through to Box Hill. The RSL has had a very, very proud tradition of engagement across the local community for its tenure at the location. We have staged the construction of Glen Waverley, which as people would know, has involved the relocation of many subterranean works, to enable the RSL to operate from its current location for several additional years before it has been required for SRL construction. That was the case when I was there not too long ago. We are supporting them to independently explore future opportunities and options, including a potential new location, and that is part of ongoing work with the RSL. We will continue also to make sure that the impact of construction is minimised as the SRL East construction continues and make sure that we are providing every opportunity for the best possible future for the Waverley RSL branch and the project.

The SRL will deliver, as you know, and as the RSL knows, a brand new underground station in the heart of Glen Waverley adjacent to the existing infrastructure, and that will connect more people to this vibrant community as part of the growth that we need to manage a growing population and provide corresponding improvements to amenity at the same time.

I want to acknowledge the work that the local member John Mullahy has put into extensive discussions with the community, including with the RSL. He has worked tirelessly to ensure the delivery of additional car parking facilities – we are talking about hundreds of new car parking opportunities. We are also working alongside traders, businesses and communities who use and rely upon footpaths, roads, connections to trade and of course the existing railway station.

This is a project of enormous complexity and size. We do not underestimate the impact that construction is having, and that has been the same with every project, from level crossing removals through to the North East Link, with the way in which we have built, developed and enhanced the road network across the state. We will continue to work with the RSL as we have worked with many organisations affected by construction, including in relation to new and future options available to them.

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:05): I thank the minister for her answer, but I want to move beyond the platitudes and ask: what assistance will be provided to the Waverley RSL in locating another premises and obtaining the necessary planning and other approvals, including the rolling over of various licences, to ensure they are able to continue serving their community, including returned service men and women?

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Housing and Building, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts) (12:05): I had actually gone to some detail in my answer to the substantive question. That you then choose to characterise that as a platitude pays lip-service to all of the conversations and discussions that are happening continuously with communities and organisations, including the RSL. This government has always respected and recognised the central role of veterans and returned service personnel in their communities, and recognising that contribution and valuing that contribution has been part of a steadfast commitment to the provision of information and support. As I said in my answer to the substantive question, Mr Davis, we will continue to support the RSL with options to independently explore new and future locations, and that work will go on despite whatever slings and arrows you choose to throw in this chamber about that work.