Constituency Question: Mickleham/Kalkallo Buses

Ms SPENCE (Yuroke) (11:35:57): (52) My constituency question is to the Minister for Public Transport. Can the minister please provide an update on the implementation of a new bus service connecting Mickleham and Kalkallo residents to Craigieburn? An $8.9 million investment in this much-needed bus service was announced by the government in October last year, and it was greatly welcomed by residents, who will finally have a public transport option to get to key local destinations such as train stations, schools and shopping precincts. As this route will service a number of the fastest growing suburbs in Australia, and with an increasing number of young people moving in, this investment in local public transport will open up many more opportunities for work and study. Along with local residents, I look forward to the minister’s response.

Response:

The Treasurer approved Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) funding for a new bus service between Mickleham and Craigieburn. The former Minister for Public Transport requested that the new route also include an extension to Donnybrook to provide more coverage to the growing communities.

GAIC funding is managed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), and Department of Transport (DoT) are currently seeking approval from DELWP to deliver the new service between Mickleham and Craigieburn and include the extension to Donnybrook.

Public Transport Victoria (PTV) have included the introduction of the new route in their program for December 2019.

Hon Melissa Horne MP
Minister for Public Transport
Minister for Ports and Freight