Question details
Broadmeadows electorate
(799) My question is for the Minister for Public and Active Transport, and I ask: what can be done to improve safety for residents accessing Jacana station. I have been contacted by local resident Jacob Cummings, who often uses Jacana station at night. The 2022 budget included over $1 million to improve access and safety at Jacana station, including CCTV. I am pleased that this has now been completed. I am also pleased that safety on Electric Street has recently been improved for pedestrians accessing the station from the east thanks to the advocacy of myself and local resident Michael O’Connor. The installation of speed cushions and a zebra crossing have helped slow traffic and improved visibility of pedestrians crossing the road; however, safety and lighting for pedestrians accessing the station from the east also need to be improved, particularly for people accessing the station at night. Jacob has requested the installation of lighting and CCTV in the underpass to increase safety and perceptions of safety, and I believe the investigation of this suggestion and other potential mitigations such as leasing adjacent government land for food trucks – (Time expired)
I thank the Member for Broadmeadows for her question, and her advocacy for safer and more accessible public transport in her community.
The Allan Labor Government is taking steps to improve safety across the public transport network – committing more than $360 million over the past decade to deliver accessibility, amenity and safety upgrades at stations, in addition to our Big Build program of upgrades through initiatives like the Level Crossing Removal Project.
As mentioned by the member, in the Victorian Budget 2022-23 we invested approximately $1 million to improve Jacana Station, including upgraded Passenger Information Displays (PIDs), CCTV, bins, public address system, signage, wayfinding and lighting. I am pleased to advise that all works on this project have now been completed, with the exception of the upgrade to lighting on the overpass and access ramp – which is on track for completion in October 2024.
The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) advises that the scope of this upgrade did not include the underpass on the western side of the station, but I thank the member for passing on the feedback of her constituent Jacob. This, and the member’s suggestion around leasing government land near the station for food vendors, has been referred to the Department of Transport and Planning for investigation and consideration as part of future upgrade planning.
I look forward to continuing to work with the Member for Broadmeadows to understand the public and active transport challenges and opportunities in her community, and it was a privilege to accompany her recently on a visit to Broadmeadows Station to explore some of these issues in detail.
Gabrielle Williams MP
Minister for Public and Active Transport
28 September 2024
16 October 2024