Thursday, 19 June 2025

 Richard WELCH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:49): (1659) My constituency matter is for the Minister for Environment. Last year I raised concerns about the vandalised and rotting W-class trams placed in Wattle Park. Very important to members of my electorate, much loved but much neglected, the trams have been sitting there decaying, getting increasingly vandalised for the better part of four years. In December the minister advised that Parks Victoria, VicTrack and Heritage Victoria were working to identify replacement options, with restoration works expected to be completed by mid-2025, and it is now mid-2025. The trams remain untouched. They are still fenced off, being increasingly vandalised, and the only progress is the addition of a sign saying that there will be work done by mid-2025. The question is: Minister, will you please explain why the works have not been completed to date and on schedule and let the community know when we can expect the restoration of these iconic trams?