Still no station lift, despite stamp duty riches

Despite more than $40 million generated in stamp duty over the past three years in Macquarie Fields, the Baird Liberal Government has failed to use a single cent of this revenue to deliver a long awaited lift at the local railway station.

The State Member for Macquarie Fields, Anoulack Chanthivong, said this further highlighted the complete disregard the Baird Government held for the people of Macquarie Fields.

“This government has no qualms about literally taking thousands of dollars from the hard working people of Macquarie Fields seeking to buy a home, yet it won’t reinvest this money back into the community.

“It stinks to think that our community has been crying out for a lift and upgrade to Macquarie Fields railway station for years all the while the government is sitting on a gold mine.

“The government’s stamp duty bonanza – direct from the pockets of the people of Macquarie Fields – should be used to deliver much needed facilities for our community, such as a lift at the station. The failure of the Baird Government to do so is wrong and completely unfair,” the local MP said.

Stamp duty in the suburb of Macquarie Fields generated $8.80 million in the 2012-2013 financial year; $15.49 million from 2013 to 2014; and $20.87 million from 2014 to 2015.

[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“As the figures show, stamp duty revenue has risen dramatically over the past three years in Macquarie Fields and yet the government has failed to act. Our community deserves its fair share.”[/social_quote]

Mr Chanthivong has previously criticised the Baird Government for prioritising the installation of a lift at Edgecliff within just three months, despite Macquarie Fields campaigning for years for an upgrade at the station.

With more than 70 steps and no lift, Macquarie Fields Station has major accessibility issues for the elderly, disabled, those with young children using a pram or passengers travelling to Sydney Airport with heavy bags.

“Accessibility for all at Macquarie Fields railway station is a must, and I will be lobbying the Government to make it a priority,” Mr Chanthivong said.