MANNINGHAM: Roadworks claim local business, says MP
I walked into this chamber some months ago and said that the
Labor government plan to redesign the Porter Street–Fitzsimons Lane intersection was going to lock
out MarketPlace Fresh, Templestowe – that whole business – from being able to operate because the
Labor government designed the intersection off a Google Maps analysis. They did not go onsite to
look at it; it was done from a Google Maps analysis. It blocked left-hand entry into Templestowe Park,
and the supposed upgrade, which put a median strip through Porter Street, blocked the entrance to
MarketPlace Fresh. Lo and behold, some months later a very popular local business has shut its doors
because it has gone broke, because the Labor government just cannot get projects like this right and
support small business.
Now what is happening at Bridge Street–Templestowe Road is all the businesses there have suddenly
realised, dear God, that the same geniuses who sent MarketPlace Fresh broke and destroyed
Templestowe Park now want to redo the road at the front of their businesses. God help them. That is
why I raise today a disastrous Labor government which does not understand small business, does not
listen to local ideas and does road rebuilds via Google Maps analysis. It had better start listening to
local people and not stuff up this one too.