Parliament of Victoria | Legislative Council | Constituency Questions
31 March 2026
David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan Region):
My constituency question is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. On Saturday I attended the launch of Brimbank council’s Fix Taylors Road campaign and spoke with many constituents who endure daily nightmare commutes.
They want the road duplicated and declared a state government asset due to the significant volume of traffic and ongoing safety concerns. From 2019 to 2024 there were 25 crashes on the 1.4-kilometre unduplicated stretch, compared with only eight crashes over the same distance on nearby duplicated Hume Drive.
Of course, duplication and declaration alone will not meet the demands of a growing west. Public transport must also be frequent, connected and reliable. My constituent asks: will the minister work with Brimbank council to declare Taylors Road a state road and make the road fit for purpose by duplicating the section in question, and when will this be completed?
Written response recieved 13 April 2026
I thank the Member for Western Metropolitan Region for his question.
The Allan Labor Government acknowledges the significant growth in Melbourne’s west, which is placing pressure on the transport network. The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) continues to work together with local councils and other agencies to determine the infrastructure requirements needed to cater for this growth in the long term.
The Allan Labor Government is partnering with the Federal Government and committing $1.2 billion to upgrade roads, cut congestion and improve road safety, including in Melbourne’s growing suburbs. This program includes $300 million to construct a new interchange on the Calder Freeway at Calder Park Drive. This project, in conjunction with the recently opened Calder Park Drive level crossing removal will improve connectivity and safety for residents of Calder Park, Taylors Hill and surrounding suburbs.
In addition, the Allan Labor Government and Federal Government continues to invest in parallel east-west roads to support growth in the area. In late 2024, a program business case funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth governments was completed for the upgrade of the Western Freeway between Melton and Caroline Springs. This resulted in the Commonwealth Government committing $1 billion for the upgrade in the 2025-26 Federal Budget. The $14.9 million Melton Highway infill duplication project has now completed major works that provide additional lanes between The Regency and Crown Drive.
Taylors Road is identified as a future key east west arterial road that supports the future Western Growth Corridor connecting Melton and Brimbank with the Calder Freeway. As part of its ongoing review of the network, DTP are considering the feasibility of upgrades to Taylors Road between Kings Road and Watervale Boulevard, including implications for existing services, access requirements, available road reservation width, bus stops and active transport requirements.
The declaration and future upgrade of Taylors Road will continue to be considered as part of DTP’s ongoing network planning and development.
Hon Melissa Horne MP
Minister for Health Infrastructure
Minister for Ports and Freight
Minister for Roads and Road Safety
