After years and years of fighting, the Unanderra community now have an indicative start date for the construction of the Unanderra Station lifts.

In response to questions by the Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully, who has led the fight since his election, Transport for NSW has revealed that building lifts and upgrading Unanderra Station is due to start in mid-2021.

Community consultations will be underway early next year with Transport for NSW publishing a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and arranging community drop-in sessions, newsletters, an interactive website and signage at Unanderra Station.

Following the community consultation process, planning approval and construction funding would be allocated with work expected to start on the upgrade in mid-2021.

The lifts at Unanderra Station should be ready for use in 2022.

Mr Scully said he was very pleased that the local community’s never ending passion and strong commitment had forced the Berejiklian Government to cave in and build the lifts at Unanderra Station.

“When I was first elected in November 2016, I was determined to see these lifts built and Unanderra Station upgraded.

“I believed we could embarrass the Government into action and we have.

“It’s been a really long hard community campaign to finally get the Government to this point, but next year the community can have their say on the design of the upgrade.

“The end of that process will kick-off the approval process and construction funding which should see work start by mid-2021, and the lifts should be ready to use by 2022.

“Many people have worked tirelessly, especially the Unanderra Access Group, and supported my efforts to get these lifts built.

“I am pleased we finally have an indicative timetable for the building work to start.

“Of course I would prefer the work to start immediately but at least we have a timeline – even though it has taken nine years of campaigning to get to the point.

“While this is good news for parents with prams, the elderly and people with mobility problems who use Unanderra Station, I am sure they will have some mixed feelings given it was only a matter of weeks between the end of consultations and the start of construction at Fairy Meadow Station”, he said.

Mr Scully said he would keep the local community updated on each step of the consultation and construction process.