My question is to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. Minister, with reference to the level crossing removal at Cheltenham, the existing process in place for consultation between traders, residents and the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) has failed. Will you assure my community that going forward their needs will actually be listened to and actioned by the Andrews Labor government?
I am advised that Cheltenham traders have, through their reference group, conveyed concerns about construction noise totalling more than 100 decibels during business hours, the failure of the LXRA to forewarn of restricted access or power loss to shops and the fact that the LXRA contractors are parking their cars in trader car spots, although they have got their own dedicated car spots allocated to them. Traders are telling me that they are on their knees with the possibility of having to close their doors within months because of the damage the above and other failures have caused business owners. Minister, it is time for you to do more than pay lip-service; it is time to actually listen and act.
