A Western Victoria MP has questioned the Andrews Labor Government over the lack of level crossing removals in Ballarat.
Minister Joe McCracken, who acts as the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Economic Development, has used parliamentary debate time to highlight the delays caused to Ballarat commuters at congested level crossings, putting pressure on our economy due to lost productivity.
He’s pointed to the crossings at Gillies Street, Forest Street, Burbank Street, Creswick Road and MacArthur Street as some of the most in need of a level crossing upgrade.
“If you’ve been around these level crossings at school times, or during the ‘after work rush’, it can be absolute bedlam – particularly given many of the level crossings are close to schools and local businesses,” Mr McCracken said.
Additionally, Mr. McCracken has criticised the Metro Melbourne focus for the level crossing removal project, saying that there have been no upgrades in regional Victoria or outside of the Metropolitan boundary, showing places like Ballarat are being taken for granted.
“Labor have been in Government in Victoria for over 8 years now – over 55 level crossing removals have been completed, none in Ballarat, none in regional Victoria – all in Melbourne” he said.
In a statement on the ‘Victoria’s Big Build’ government website it states:
We’re removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne by 2030, the largest project of its kind in Victoria’s history.
A total of 67 level crossings have been removed so far.
The Victorian Government has been contacted for comment.
