Michael Sukkar MP

Focus on Community Infrastructure

 I am pleased to rise today to discuss the coalition’s commitment to delivering local infrastructure and creating jobs in my electorate of Deakin. Recently I attended the opening of the new, $197 million Mitcham railway station. It is a premium station, which is manned from first train to last each day and which contributes to the removal of level crossings on Mitcham Road and Rooks Road. The project to build the station created 140 jobs.

In Ringwood, residents will benefit from the construction of the new, $66 million Ringwood railway station. The Ringwood railway station project has enabled the Queensland Investment Corporation to undertake a $500 million redevelopment of Eastland shopping centre, which will create 2,000 construction jobs.

I also recently visited Croydon Central shopping centre to offer my personal encouragement and assistance for a $50 million redevelopment of the centre. This project will create not only construction jobs but also ongoing jobs in hospitality and retail.

Last but definitely not least there is the East West Link, to which the federal coalition is contributing $1½ billion and which will create more than 3,000 jobs. I am dedicated to working with all levels of government, with community groups and with businesses to improve local infrastructure and to create the jobs and investment needed to make Deakin an even better place to live.