Issues
As your local Member of Parliament, I have been working hard on a range of issues that concern residents throughout the Ferntree Gully electorate. Below is an overview of some of these important issues. Feel free to contact me if you wish to discuss any of these or any other matters further.
Rowville Rail Feasibility Study
In 1999, the Labor Party promised that it would fund a feasibility study into the provision of a rail link to Rowville. Fast forward 10 years to today - it is still not funded, our local roads and the Monash Freeway are congested and the Minister for Public Transport has stated that it is not a priority of the government. I am committed to continuing the fight for this feasibility study.
Tram to Knox
In 1999, Labor promised to extend the Burwood East tram line to Knox City Shopping Centre. After winning the election, the government's half-hearted approach was to finish the tram line half-way at Vermont South. It is time for the Brumby Government to show more than half an interest in Melbourne's outer-east and finish the job.
Rowville Police Station to Operate 24 hours
Our police do a thankless job made harder by the inadequate resources they receive from the government. The Labor Party promised to construct a police station in Rowville, which was to be operational 24 hours a day. The Labor Government failed to honour this commitment by opening a police station that is only operational 16 hours per day. Labor needs to realise that just because a police station is closed doesn't mean that criminals are tucked up in bed. The government must adequately fund our police service so that they have the resources they need to tackle crime.
Napoleon Road Duplication
Traffic congestion on Napoleon and Stud Roads could be alleviated by the duplication of Napoleon Road between Wellington Road and the proposed intersection of the extended Dorset Road, helping to create an additional north-south link through our area.
Dorset Road Extension
To complete an additional north-south link, Dorset Road needs to be extended south from the Burwood Highway. This project has been earmarked for many years and land has been held in reserve. It is time for the Labor Government to recognise the needs of our growing community and extend Dorset Road.
Ferntree Gully Railway Station upgraded to Premium Status
After advocating for the upgrade of Ferntree Gully Railway station to 'premium status' for many years, I was very pleased when the Government announced the funding for this project in November 2008. After dragging it's feet for many years and treating commuters in Ferntree Gully like second class citizens, the Brumby Labor Government has finally agreed to fund this upgrade.
Frequency of Bus Services
Bus services in Ferntree Gully, particularly on weekends, are infrequent and unreliable. The government should upgrade bus services and stops in our local area to encourage people to use public transport, particularly for short journeys to the shops and cinemas at Knox O-Zone.
Working with Knox Council to Fix Congestion on Bergins Road
With the installation of traffic lights at the intersection of Stud and Bergins Road, many vehicles from the City of Casey have been driving through Endeavour Hills and along Bergins Road, causing traffic chaos for Heany Park locals. I have been working with the Knox City Council to find solutions to this problem.
Capital Works at the Angliss Hospital
The government recognised in its Eastern Health Strategic Plan that the Angliss Hospital in Upper Gully needs capital works completed on its wards. I have taken the Shadow Minister for Health to inspect the hospital and we have called upon the government to fund its capital works programme.
Ensuring Adequate Funding for Local Schools
Schools in the Ferntree Gully, Boronia, Rowville and Lysterfield communities are providing exceptional education services to our children. Our teachers should be commended for the work they do in preparing our kids for their futures. I have been working with principals and school councils to pressure the Labor Government to provide the funding to ensure our children have the best possible learning environment.
Preventing Gaming Machine Increases in Knox
Despite my numerous calls to rule out gaming machine increases in the City of Knox, the government has refused to provide any commitment on this issue. I have lodged a submission with the gaming machine inquiry set up by the Department of Justice and will work with the community to fight any inappropriate gaming machine increases.
Provision of Special Education Facilities for Melbourne's Outer-East
Parents of special needs students in Knox have contacted me regarding the lack of special education facilities in Melbourne's outer-east. Some students are spending up to four hours per day on buses to the Heatherwood School located in Donvale. I have raised this issue both in Parliament and locally and have called upon the Labor Government to investigate the provision of special education facilities.
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Contact Nick
Nick Wakeling MLA
State Member for Ferntree Gully
Unit 4, 91 Dorset Road,
Ferntree Gully 3156
Phone: (61) 3 9758 6011
Fax: (61) 3 9758 8053
Email: nick.wakeling@parliament...