Thursday, 13 November 2025

 Ryan BATCHELOR (Southern Metropolitan) (12:53): My question is to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. Can the minister outline how the Eastern Freeway upgrades between Hoddle Street and Burke Road as part of the North East Link Program will improve travel times and make life easier for the residents in Southern Metropolitan region? The North East Link is one of Victoria’s biggest infrastructure projects. It is going to take trucks off local roads, cut travel times and make our suburbs safer and more connected. The upgrades between Hoddle Street and Burke Road are going to deliver 6 kilometres of dedicated bus lanes, giving commuters, particularly those in Kew, Kew East and Balwyn North who get the bus into town, faster and more reliable public transport. There are going to be new walking and cycling paths, including a new bridge over the Yarra, new lanes in each direction out on the freeway, quieter surfaces and noise walls. The Allan Labor government is committed to easing congestion, improving connections and creating an even more livable city.