To get to the nearest train station or bus stop, residents of Macarthur Heights either pay for a taxi or walk around three kilometres.
Their local member, Greg Warren, took up their cause and wrote to the NSW transport and roads minister Andrew Constance demanding a bus service be established in Macarthur Heights – one of the newest suburbs in Campbelltown.
His demand was rejected.
Mr Warren received the bad news from Mr Constance’s offsider, Eleni Petinos, the parliamentary secretary for transport and roads.
“I am advised there are no plans to introduce public bus services or a dedicated school bus service to the Macarthur Heights estate at this time,” Ms Petinos wrote in her response to the member for Campbelltown.
“Transport for NSW is monitoring patronage on bus routes in the Campbelltown area and will adjust services where justified by demand.”
In response, Mr Warren has hit out, saying, “the demand for the services is there but the political will from the state government was not”.
“I’ve had numerous Macarthur Heights residents contact me about the absence of a bus service and I have passed those concerns onto the minister.
“Those concerns are continually ignored,’’ Mr Warren said.
The local MP says he also wrote to Mr Constance regarding the need for road and rail infrastructure in Menangle Park ahead of massive residential growth.
He called for an upgrade to Menangle Park train station and the provision of southern entry and exit ramps at the planned Hume Motorway and Menangle Road junction.
Mr Warren says this request also fell on deaf ears.
He was only told unspecified remediation works were due to occur at the station sometime this financial year.
As for the ramps, once again he was told they will get done when future demand warrants it.
“These are serious concerns regarding roads and public transport services but the minister has dismissed all of those concerns,’’ Mr Warren said.
“It’s disappointing, dismissive and disrespectful.
“Thousands of residents are set to move into Menangle Park in the coming years, so upgrades at the station need to occur now.
“The only dedicated parking bays at the station are on the western side – on privately owned land.
“Passengers still have to cross over the actual train line to get from one platform to the other – it’s absurd.
“And it’s just common sense that south facing entry and exit ramps must be built at the Hume Motorway-Menangle Park junction.’’
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Mr Warren is urging local groups to apply for a 2019 Community Building Partnership grant. Applications open on September 2 and close on September 27.
Councils and incorporated not-for-profit community organisations are eligible to apply for grants between the value of $2500 and $300,000.
To apply go to nsw.gov.au, search “community building partnership” and click on the link.
