Traffic congestion and transport main issues in Box Hill electorate

EASING traffic congestion and offering residents a wider range of transport options are the main concerns for Box Hill candidates in the state election.

n13wh105 d1 (4 of 5) Funding needed for Box Hill transport interchange. 060920 Picture: Kris Reichl

EASING traffic congestion and offering residents a wider range of transport options are the main concerns for Box Hill candidates in the state election.

Box Hill state Liberal MP Robert Clark said the Napthine Government would continue to deliver transport improvements for road users by building the East West Link.

“If we don’t deliver these major infrastructure changes that the electorate needs we’ll end up being increasingly choked up,” Mr Clark said.

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But Greens candidate Bill Pemberton criticised the Liberals’ commitment to build the East West Link as “reckless.”

“It’s going to swallow up all the money for infrastructure,” Mr Pemberton said.

“If we want to ease congestion, we have to invest in public transport.”

“If we don’t deliver these major infrastructure changes that the electorate needs we’ll end up being increasingly choked up,” — Robert Clark, Box Hill state Liberal MP

Labor candidate Stefanie Perri said her party would invest in public transport by creating a ministerial advisory group to improve the facilities at Box Hill transport interchange.

Ms Perri said the group would report directly to the Transport Minister and produce a clear direction for the interchange’s future through improving and linking trains, trams and buses.

Independent candidate Geoffrey Stokie said there should be more train services during peak hour, while Australian Christians candidate Frank Reale suggested the transport issue could be resolved if more residents worked where they lived.

“The transportation issue resolves itself to a large extent because then they don’t need to travel as far as they normally would,” Mr Reale said.

“If we want to ease congestion, we have to invest in public transport,” — Bill Pemberton, Box Hill state Greens candidate

The one issue all candidates agreed on was Box Hill Central’s need for an upgrade.

As part of its questions without notice, Leader asked the Box Hill candidates what they thought should be done to the major transport interchange.

Mr Clark and Mr Pemberton both said the owners of the shopping centre were now in the position to work with the Government to modernise the facility.

Mr Reale said Box Hill Central was one of the great centres of Plan Melbourne and that it should be further developed.

Mr Stokie said there was a need for more parking to cater for people commuting to the city.

All candidates except Mr Reale were able to correctly name the Victorian Treasurer, Michael O’Brien.