The Berejiklian Government’s neglect of Unanderra Station continues despite additional funds being allocated to the Transport Access Program today.
The Premier announced that additional funds would upgrade five Sydney railway station while it appears there is nothing to improve access to public transport for commuters outside of Sydney.
Station upgrades were announced for Beecroft, Beverley Hills, Casula, Como and Glenbrook but not for Unanderra station.
Member for Wollongong Paul Scully believes that today’s announcement confirms that politics is dictating priorities for the transport access program given that Como and Casula stations will be upgraded before Unanderra.
Mr Scully understands that the access issue at Como station relates to the need for commuters to use 25 stairs to access the platform compared to the 72 stairs that passengers need to negotiate to access Unanderra station.
At the same time Transport for NSW barrier counts released in March 2016 indicate that Casula station is used by around 300 people per day while Unanderra station is used by 500 people.
Comments attributable to Paul Scully MP:
“Our community has every right to feel angry and betrayed that Unanderra station is not included among the latest list of station upgrades.
“The Premier claims she was distressed two years ago when she saw the video of people trying to access Unanderra station. She has had multiple chances to fix the problem and has blown it every single time.
“The Liberals continue to ignore Unanderra station, the commuters who use it and the thousands of people who have supported the call for proper access.
“The Transport Access Program has turned into nothing more than a Berejiklian Government pork-barrelling scheme with politics dictating its priorities.
“Stations that have fewer reasons for upgrades are now consistently given priority above Unanderra Station.
“The Premier claims that decisions on station upgrades is “evidence-based” but it seems that the key piece of evidence in the Berejiklian Government’s decision-making is whether a station is in a marginal seat or not.”
