Christine Fyffe MP Member for Evelyn
15 Hutchinson Street, Lilydale, 3140
Ph: 9735 3208
email: christine.fyffe@parliament.vic.gov.au

York Road-Wray Crescent Pedestrian Crossing

I have had many residents contact me wanting to know what progress has been made with the York Road-Wray Crescent pedestrian crossing.
Shadow Roads and Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder was in Mount Evelyn with me on Monday (21/9/09) at the intersection of York Road and Wray Crescent. It was a timely opportunity to again raise the need for works to get moving on the intersection with it having been eight years since I first raised the safety concerns of residents in Parliament.

It has been well documented that funding for the project came from three sources. The Shire of Yarra Ranges made a contribution of $279,000, the State Government committed $450,000 and the Federal Government put in $573,000. It was estimated that the project would commence in May 2007 and would be completed in mid 2008. However, as many of you know, works are yet to commence.

Although negotiations for this project have been complex, it does not justify the lengthy delays. Professional engineers in a government department are trained to produce plans that satisfy the needs of governments, residents and businesses. This cannot be used as an excuse any longer.

I have been advised by the Shire of Yarra Ranges that they hope to see works commence in 2010. However, there is currently no tender on the project because detailed designs are yet to be drawn up. This places the ball squarely in the court of the State Government.

The Yarra Ranges Bus Services Review

The Bus Services Review commenced in October 2008 in the Yarra Ranges. We are almost a year on and we have not heard when the results will be released.

The longer commuters in Mount Evelyn have to wait for the results, the longer it will be before any changes to bus routes and services are implemented.
Bus services in Mount Evelyn are very limited. At this stage it is still not known whether Mount Evelyn residents will benefit from any recommendations from the bus services review despite having made strong contributions to the workshops that were hosted earlier this year.

In my own submission to the Bus Services Review, I made requests on behalf of residents who raised issues with my office relating to greater frequency of bus services, improved connectivity of services, the creation of a regular bus service from Wandin to Mount Evelyn and the abolition of multi-zoned ticketing which is a deterrent to people wanting to traverse the Yarra Ranges.

One of the real uncertainties facing us is whether the bus review will yield additional bus services. The State Government must not rob Peter to pay Paul by taking services away from other routes which have a parallel need.

I urge the Minister for Public Transport to get her Department into gear on this important issue.