Mary Doyle (Aston, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was wonderful to welcome the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, the Hon. Kristy McBain, to my electorate of Aston early last week. Whilst in my electorate, I was able to show the minister some of the local road and infrastructure projects underway and discuss our forward priorities. As a federal member living in the beautiful outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne, I know how crucial roads and their conditions are. Over the past 19 months since being elected, I have received many emails, social media messages and phone calls from constituents regarding the poor condition of some of the state government and local roads, and I should know. I have seen them myself while driving around the electorate.

That is why I am absolutely wrapped that the Albanese Labor government has delivered a massive funding boost to local governments in the form of the Roads to Recovery Program. Working in partnership with Knox City Council, projects funded by the Albanese government are improving the safety of our local road networks, supporting local jobs and unlocking new social and economic opportunities. The Roads to Recovery Program, which directly funds local councils to ensure that roads are properly maintained, has seen a huge increase in funding compared to previous years. Around $6.5 million in Roads to Recovery funding will flow to Knox City Council over the next five years—a boost of $2.8 million on the previous federal coalition government funding. This will pave the way for a pipeline of future road safety upgrades, with $300,000 for improvements at Templeton Street in Wantirna and $650,000 for a 300-metre section of Station Street at Ferntree Gully. All of this is from the Albanese Labor government supporting improvements to road surfaces and kerbs.

This builds on work already delivered, such as upgrades to Rickards Avenue in Knoxfield, with just on $650,000 from the federal Labor government, making this busy route to Carrington Primary School a lot safer. Through phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, Knox City Council is receiving over $730,000 for high-impact local projects. This figure includes over $432,000 for cricket net upgrades at the Marie Wallace oval in Bayswater, something the community has long called for, which will improve player safety and boost participation. The surface of Knox BMX track, which regularly hosts state championships, is also being upgraded this year, thanks to $300,000 from the Albanese government, improving the use of this facility in all weather conditions. Safety upgrades to Henderson Road in Knoxfield also continue to progress thanks to over $14.2 million from the Albanese government, with the project on track for completion in mid-2026, where slip lanes will be added at the Ferntree Gully Road and Henderson Road traffic lights. This is set to reduce traffic congestion and travel times on this key suburban road. Melbourne's east is fast growing, which is why I'm proud to have secured millions of dollars for our local community, ensuring we continue to build for our future. Without our funding commitments, these important road and infrastructure projects wouldn't have got off the ground.

Mike Freelander (Macarthur, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with the resolution agreed to earlier, the debate is interrupted.