A contract for the upgrade of Unanderra Station could be awarded by the end of this year pending planning approval, Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully, announced today.

Mr Scully said news that the contract could be awarded by the end of 2020 was good news.

Transport for NSW’s project team is currently assessing community feedback on the final design of the station upgrade and the Review of Environmental Factors.

Once the contract is awarded, the detailed design of the Unanderra Station upgrade would begin and site investigations are expected to also commence later this year.

Mr Scully said this small but necessary step represents significant progress.

“I think the local community has been so patient and worked hard with me to convince the Government that this upgrade of Unanderra Station - particularly building its three lifts - is so necessary, will be heartened by this next step in the project’s progression.

“I am expecting to see funding allocated to the Unanderra Station upgrade in the upcoming NSW Budget on 17 November 2020.

“It would be another very positive move if the Government decided to bring the project forward so it started in early January 2021 to help stimulate the local economy and create some local jobs and business opportunities in the economic recovery”, he said.

Mr Scully encouraged local businesses to register with the NSW Government’s e-Tender website at www.tenders.nsw.gov.au so they can receive alerts on the tender process if they want to be part of the project.

However, Transport for NSW expected that the Unanderra Station upgrade construction would start in mid-2021 and be completed within 18 months.

Mr Scully said the local community had made a series of suggestions to improve the concept design, including installing canopies on the footbridge; additional commuter car parking; CCTV and lighting and installing more Opal card machines.

He said that the upgrade of Towradgi Station would also proceed on the same timetable.