Tuesday, 20 June 2023

Western Metropolitan Region

David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan) (13:02): (245) My constituency question is for the minister for public transport and infrastructure. My constituent is a resident of Melton and recently pointed me to council modelling for a vastly improved bus network for the Melton LGA. She said that implementing the council’s proposed changes would benefit 40,000 people currently without public transport services, improve access to employment and education precincts and reduce private motor vehicle trips. These changes are desperately needed. Melton LGA is one of Victoria’s largest growth corridors, and with approximately 300,000 trips originating from Melton per day, only 2 per cent are on the bus. A simple realignment of the bus network with no major investment would take as little as six months and service an additional 17,200 people compared to the existing network. A $3 million investment would service an additional 24,000 residents, and a $10 million investment an extra 57,000 people. So my constituent asks: what steps has the government taken or will take to implement the council’s bus upgrade plans?