Tuesday, 17 March 2026

 Anasina GRAY-BARBERIO (Northern Metropolitan) (12:55): (2220) My question is to the Minister for Public and Active Transport. The Northern Councils Alliance, representing the municipalities of Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Merri-bek, Mitchell, Nillumbik and Whittlesea, has raised serious concerns that current rail planning is not meeting the needs of the Upfield corridor and that local governments have not been meaningfully consulted. The Upfield line has long been a problem for my constituents. It is one of Melbourne’s most crowded, unreliable and infrequent train lines. With the Northern Metro Region expected to reach 1.5 million people in the coming decades, rail capacity will not cope unless we implement a comprehensive corridorwide plan. Minister, will you meet with the Northern Councils Alliance to discuss long-term planning for the Upfield rail corridor?