Hansard debates

Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:05): My constituency question is for the Minister for Public Transport. In May last year a V/Line train smashed through the gates at the railway crossing on Lydiard Street, one of the busiest roads in Ballarat. Ever since, the crossing has been blocked, severely impacting foot traffic and, according to business owners, preventing new shops from opening along the strip. The government has not produced a specific plan for reopening the crossing. It is unthinkable that during these difficult economic times the Victorian government would not be doing everything in its power to revitalise regional city centres. Shame on the government for damaging Ballarat businesses’ viability and residents’ job prospects. My question to the minister is: when will the Lydiard Street railway crossing be reopened?