Last year NSW transport minister Gladys Berejiklian promised 150 new parking spaces for commuters using Holsworthy station.
Now the minister has upped that figure to more than double at 400 spaces and said it was all down to the hard work put in by her Liberal Party colleague, state member for Menai Melanie Gibbons.
“Last year I was very pleased to join the hardworking local member for Menai Melanie Gibbons to announce plans for 150 extra spaces for customers at Holsworthy Station, and today I’m delighted that this has now increased to around 400 free untimed spaces,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Holsworthy Station is an important transport hub for South West Sydney, particularly for those customers who drive to and from the station as part of their daily commute to connect with the T2 Airport line.
“Melanie Gibbons has been campaigning tirelessly for parking spaces…’’
The project will be delivered as part of the Transport Access Program, a NSW Government initiative which is aimed at delivering accessible, modern, secure and integrated transport infrastructure where it is needed most.
Ms Gibbons said the news was a “fantastic’’ win for the Holsworthy community and showed just how hard the NSW government is working to ensure improvements for customers.
“I know from talking to members of the community and being a public transport user myself just how frustrating it can be driving around looking for a car space,” Ms Gibbons said.
“We are listening to the community and I have been working hard to ensure we can provide more spaces at Holsworthy, so I’m just delighted to be announcing this today.”
One of the NSW Government’s priorities has been to encourage more people to use public transport and providing extra parking at important interchanges like Holsworthy gives customers that extra incentive to jump on a train or bus, Ms Gibbons said.
“Detailed design work is now taking place, with the full scope of work including exact number of spaces and construction timeline to be confirmed in coming months. I’ll be making sure that work is under way in coming months on the first 200 car spaces.’’
Ms Gibbons said work is also under way across the region to assist public transport customers.
“I recently joined the minister to open a brand new 90 space car park at Liverpool, right next to the station that is a huge win for customers,” Ms Gibbons said.
“At another major transport hub in Sutherland we are delivering a new multi-storey car park, providing at least 340 extra spaces for customers.
“In addition, we are handing back staff car parking spaces for Sydney Trains customers at around 100 stations across the state, including 12 spaces which have already been returned to customers at Holsworthy Station.
“I’m also delighted that we are delivering major infrastructure projects for customers in the community.
“Passenger services on the South West Rail Link will begin on February 8, and the service will connect customers with trains to employment centres in the Sydney, Liverpool and Parramatta CBDs, as well as to Sydney Airport.
“The South West Rail Link stations at Leppington and Edmondson Park will include about 1,250 new commuter car parking spaces for customers and I know that will make a huge difference for the region.”
Other significant improvements for public transport users in the Menai region include the introduction of Opal electronic ticketing, and customers are enjoying air-conditioned comfort on 100 per cent of train services, including the brand new modern Waratah trains.
