The lack of accessibility at Macquarie Fields Station in 2020 is shameful, say two local MPs.
Anne Stanley, the federal member for Werriwa, and Anoulack Chanthivong, state member for Macquarie Fields, have declared they would continue their fight for a lift to ensure the station was accessible to all.
The MPs say they share the frustration and dismay of local residents caused by the failure of the NSW Government to allocate any money in last week’s budget towards lifts at Macquarie Fields Station.
The two MPs say Hawkesbury River Station, in a Liberal-held seat, is being upgraded despite data showing a greater need for a lift and higher patronage at Macquarie Fields Station.
Based on the latest available data, there are 7,607 weekly Opal trips at Macquarie Fields Station, compared with 861 at Hawkesbury River Station.
“Our community is repeatedly overlooked when it comes to fair access to railway stations,” Mr Chanthivong said.
“It is time to stop the spin and fund lifts at Macquarie Fields Station as a matter of priority.
“It is shameful that in 2020 a major suburban train station on the Airport line has no lift and no wheelchair access – just a towering stairway with more than 70 steps.
“It is unacceptable that frail and elderly, parents with prams, people with disability and travellers with luggage are unable to use this station without a lift.
“Now is the time to end the Liberal Government’s neglect of South Western Sydney, stop the spin and fund the upgrade of Macquarie Fields Station to ensure fair access for all.”
The two Labor MPs say the Liberal Government has consistently failed to abide by its own guidelines and assessment process.
They point out that under its Transport Access Program, Macquarie Fields Station has a “need rank’’ of 34. Yet station upgrades are already under way for Beecroft Station ranked 36 and Clarendon Station ranked 45 – both in Liberal-held seats.
“To ignore its own transport data and engage in blatant pork-barrelling is simply wrong,” Anne Stanley said.
“There are too many stories of the elderly or people with disability having to bypass Macquarie Fields Station to catch a train and this is incredibly unfair.
“We continue to call on the Liberal Government to fund lifts and make Macquarie Fields Station accessible for all. We won’t give up the fight until we have our fair share,” Ms Stanley said.
