Ms VAGHELA (Western Metropolitan): My adjournment matter is directed to the Minister for Public Transport and Minister for Roads and Road Safety, the Honourable Ben Carroll. The Andrews Labor government has announced that 100 kilometres of new and improved cycling routes will be delivered across key inner-Melbourne suburbs to make it easier and safer for people cycling to and from the CBD. This will create jobs and make it easier and safer for people riding bikes to get around Melbourne as we head towards COVID normal. With more people expected to use cars to get around, this $13 million investment will deliver pop-up lanes to help relieve congestion and provide an alternative to public transport for those living closer to the CBD. Works will be delivered in the coming months and provide a boost to the economy, creating and supporting over 40 local jobs. The changes will improve travel options from inner-Melbourne areas such as Footscray, Northcote and St Kilda.
Across Victoria the $100 million TAC Safer Cyclists and Pedestrians Fund is delivering 44 walking and cycling projects in addition to more than 250 kilometres of cycling and walking paths in delivery or committed for future delivery as part of the government’s major transport infrastructure program. In the recent months many residents in my area of Western Metropolitan Region have resorted to cycling as a means of entertainment, exercise and travel. The action I seek from the minister is to provide my office with an update on whether there are additional suburbs other than Footscray in my area, Western Metropolitan Region, that will benefit from this announcement.