My question is to the Leader of the Government.
With the announcement of the new Melbourne Metro rail project and that it will need to acquire over 40 sites to deliver the scheme in my electorate of Northern Metropolitan Region, many residents and businesses are rightly worried about this new project and how it will affect them.
I understand that 15 businesses in the Port Phillip Arcade, which connects Flinders Lane with Flinders Street, have been told by Melbourne Metro officials that their businesses will have to go as part of the project. These businesses, in many cases, have spent over 30 years building up their trade, only to be told now that they will need to shut their doors forever to make way for the Metro rail.
What arrangements will the government make with these businesses to ensure a smooth transition that will not affect their ability to earn an income, and what sort of formula for compensation for these businesses does the government have?
