Thursday the 31st of October, 2024
Victorian Legislative Council
On behalf of a constituent, Rachel Payne MP spoke in parliament on the cleanliness of Frankston freeway. Areas of the freeway are frequently marred by rubbish dumping and overgrowth of weeds. Rachel asked if the minister will commit to maintaining the freeway’s cleanliness.
RACHEL PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan):
My constituency question is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety.
My constituent is a resident of Frankston South, and as part of their commute they regularly drive along the Frankston Freeway. In the stretch of road along the Frankston Freeway between Frankston-Dandenong Road and Cranbourne-Frankston Road they consistently observe rubbish, including old mattresses and dumped furniture, long grass and excessive weeds.
This is a danger to public health, the environment and driver safety. It is also a source of shame for my constituent when driving visitors around the area. Their attempts to raise the issue with VicRoads have been unsuccessful, so my constituent asks: will the minister ensure the Frankston Freeway is cleaned up and regularly maintained as a matter of urgency?
Written response received 4th of December:
I thank the Member for South-Eastern Metropolitan Region for her question.
Illegal rubbish dumping remains an ongoing challenge for the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and local municipalities, with some members of the community continuing to discard rubbish on roadsides.
As there are many road maintenance demands at any time, work that has the greatest impact on improving public safety is given the highest priority.
Rubbish causing obstruction is dealt with immediately. Rubbish that does not impact road safety is scheduled for removal in line with our strategic prioritisation system.
The DTP plans and delivers a program of works that aims to ensure the roadside is safe. This also includes making sure vegetation doesn’t block drivers’ views and is in preparation for the fire season by reducing fuels along roadsides. Roadside vegetation management is an important part of keeping our roads safe for all users, as well as managing bushfire risks.
In the 2024-25 Vegetation Management Program, DTP is committed to mowing and slashing roadside grass across Victoria over the coming months.
DTP works closely with emergency services, including the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), Victoria Police, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and local councils to co-ordinate and prioritise vegetation management efforts in the highest risk areas, including the area of the Frankston Freeway, between Frankston-Dandenong Road and Cranbourne-Frankston.
The next scheduled roadside mowing along the Frankston Freeway is programmed for December. This will be conducted in conjunction with litter removal prior to mowing. Additional maintenance issues will be addressed as part of our ongoing maintenance program, in alignment with other competing priorities.
Hon Melissa Horne MP
Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation
Minister for Local Government
Minister for Roads and Road Safety
Minister for Ports and Freight
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