Blacktown City Council - Media Statement - Two Decades Of Cries For A Lift Is “Unfair”

MEDIA STATEMENT

13 July, 2018

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP says the NSW State government’s failure to recognise the desperate need for a lift at Doonside railway station is cruel.

“Cries for a lift at Doonside railway station have been heard for more than two decades and every year the government has failed to bring this vital piece of infrastructure to the community,” Mayor Bali said.

“We have heard some very sad stories of people using the out-dated ramp and falling off wheel chairs coming down the ramp and, in one case, having a heart-attack while trying to walk up the ramp.”

Last week Mayor Bali sent official invites to NSW Treasurer, Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Andrew Constance to a community forum on Monday, 30 July.

Council has not received confirmation that the ministers will face the Doonside community at the forum.

“We are giving them the opportunity to meet with this community, the same people who are screaming for a lift.”

“The Government has already omitted this lift in the 2018 Budget, they have ignored the community’s desperate cries for over twenty years, now let’s see if they will give us the cold shoulder again by not facing this community face-to-face,” Mayor Bali said.

Blacktown City Council has been in touch with the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Andrew Constance, on numerous occasions, including in 2015, when an official response from Minister Constance indicated Doonside station would be considered for funding.

Reports on the NSW Government’s 2018 Budget revealed 11 more stations will receive upgrades, and there were further progression of four stations.

Again Doonside was not on the Government’s list.

Forum details: Doonside Community Forum starts at 7pm on Monday, 30 July 7pm, The Doonside Community Centre, 31 Graham Street, Doonside.

The lack of a lift means that Jackie Roach is no longer able to access Doonside station.