Wednesday, 13 May 2026

 Richard WELCH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:52): (2325) My constituency question is for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, and it concerns the future of the Tram Road Reserve as part of the North East Link Program in my electorate. Local residents are deeply concerned that works now proposed for the reserve will permanently change valued public open space that the community had been repeatedly assured would remain available for public use. The adjacent Eram Park has already been acquired by the government as part of the project, reducing pretty scarce local green space. Right now the residents have been advised that the Tram Road Reserve is also being taken from them, with the shortest of consultation periods and no understanding of the long-term consequences. I would ask the minister: will the government immediately extend the consultation period and ensure local residents’ concerns are considered?