Thursday the 15th of August, 2024
Victorian Legislative Council

RACHEL PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan): My constituency question is for the Minister for Public and Active Transport. My constituent is a resident of Dandenong who commutes regularly from Yarraman station in Noble Park. While parked at this station last year, my constituent returned to her car to find her catalytic converter had been stolen in broad daylight. This left my constituent with hefty bills for insurance and repairs. According to 2023 data from the Crime Statistics Agency, car theft in Noble Park has increased by 25 per cent from the previous year. Lighting and CCTV coverage at Yarraman station car park is minimal, allowing little recourse for victims of these crimes to seek justice and financial compensation.

So my constituent asks: what will the minister do to deter crime at Yarraman station to ensure the safety of commuters and their property?

Response Received, 6th of September 2024:

I thank the Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region for their question.

The Allan Labor Government is taking steps to increase safety across the public transport network.

In 2022, the car park at Yarraman Station received safety upgrades as part of our Car Parks for Commuters program. This included the delivery of 15 light poles, 9 CCTV cameras and 5 PA speakers. The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) will consider your constituent’s feedback as part of planning and determining priorities for potential further station upgrades.

Authorised Officers (AOs) patrol the public transport network to deter anti-social and criminal behaviour. While theft, as a criminal matter, falls under the responsibility of Victoria Police, AOs can report offences believed to have been committed against the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 and its regulations, which includes those committed in station carparks. AOs are not empowered to address criminal behaviour, but in cases like these, the AO will request the assistance of Victoria Police or Protective Service Officers (PSOs).

Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) is responsible for the deployment of AOs on the metropolitan train network and uses passenger feedback to help identify hot spots. The information your constituent has provided about Yarraman station has been shared with MTM for their consideration.

In addition to the Authorised Officers deployed by MTM, Victoria Police employ and deploy PSOs across the public transport network.

MTM and DTP continue to work closely with Victoria Police to develop strategies to improve safety across the metropolitan rail network.

Gabrielle Williams MP
Minister for Public and Active Transport