By Tate Papworth
A three-year fight to have licence tests in Brimbank may soon be over.
VicRoads has confirmed it is “exploring options” to deliver more local driving tests and specialist services to disadvantaged customers around the area.
Licence testing and vehicle checks were removed from the Sunshine VicRoads list of services in February 2018.
Resident Peter Thomson has tirelessly campaigned for the services to return to Brimbank and said the signs are promising.
“I have heard that VicRoads is looking at some sort of licence testing facility, possibly in the Derrimut area,” he said.
“For me it should have happened when they moved into the new office in Sunshine – a lot of people have been put out – but it’s better late than never.”
A Department of Transport spokesperson refuted suggestions that the lack of licence testing facility in Sunshine had increased wait times at neighbouring VicRoads offices.
The department said the former Sunshine customer service centre provided 52 drive tests appointments per day when it closed in February 2018.
Eighteen of those are now being provided by the Melton customer service centre, 16 at Broadmeadows and nine each at Werribee and Sunbury.
“We have not reduced the number of drive test appointments across the western suburbs since opening the hub@Sunshine. All of the daily drive test appointments previously delivered by the former
Sunshine customer service centre are now being provided by neighbouring customer services centres,” the spokesperson said.
Mr Thomson didn’t agree.
“If wait times haven’t increased and this hub in Sunshine is as wonderful as they say, I’m not sure why there would be a need to explore options to begin with.
“Testing should never have been removed from Sunshine, but if what we’re hearing is true it’s better late than never.”
