from the Minister for Roads and Road Safety
(The response can be read on Parliaments website here: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/questions-on-notice/questions-database/details/53/9596)
- On the 7 September 2021 I asked a Constituency Question No 5974
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Which read:
- Question
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Asked: 7 September 2021
Melton electorate
Mr McGhie to ask the Minister for Roads and Road Safety —My constituency question is to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety.
The population growth in our outer suburbs in Melbourne has increased significantly. My electorate of Melton is no exception.
The Melton LGA is the fastest growing LGA in the country, not just the state.
Many of the roads in my electorate were created when much of the community was farm and lifestyle land.
Much of these areas are now experiencing huge growth with new housing estates and suburbs.
These areas are now experiencing urban traffic.
Will the minister commit to visiting Melton to observe and discuss some of the challenges many of my constituents experience with roads and road safety in the Melton electorate?
- We received an answer from the Minister which read:
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Answered: 6 October 2021
The Andrews Labor Government acknowledges the significant growth in Melbourne’s west, which is placing increasing pressure on the transport network. Government agencies, including the Department of
Transport (DoT), are working together to determine what infrastructure requirements are needed to cater for this growth in the long term.
The 2020/21 State Budget included improvements to the road network to meet the changing needs of communities across the State. In Melton, this includes funding for upgrades to the High Street and Coburns Road intersection and the Norton Drive and High Street intersection. This investment builds on the recently completed Coburns Road and Barries Road intersection upgrade by DoT.
Additionally, the Ballarat Rail Line upgrade was completed earlier this year and is delivering extra weekly services for the growing communities along the line. The project duplicated 18 kilometres of track between Deer Park West and Melton, built the new Cobblebank Station between Rockbank and Melton and rebuilt Rockbank Station. Service benefits delivered along the line include:
- 225 extra services stopping at Cobblebank Station each week
- 210 extra services stopping at Rockbank Station each week
- 140 extra services stopping at Melton Station each week
- 125 extra services stopping at Caroline Springs Station each week
In addition, DoT is conducting a Western Freeway Corridor Study between the M80 Ring Road and Ferris Road in Melton, to assess emerging transportation issues as well as consider and evaluate the future surrounding transportation network. Once the study is complete, the Government will consider funding the works as part of a future program of works.
Thank for your invitation to visit the Melton electorate, which I will be pleased to do when COVID-19 restrictions allow. In the meantime, DoT will continue to work with its transport partners to identify opportunities for further improvements to the transport network.
The Hon Ben Carroll MP
Minister for Public Transport
Minister for Roads and Road Safety
