Doonside station ignored again by NSW Government in 2018 Budget

Published on 08 June 2018

Community cries for lifts at Doonside train stations have been ignored again in the NSW Government’s 2018 budget.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said: “It was a slap in the face for our constituents this week when the State Government announced that 11 more stations will receive upgrades, but Doonside station is not on the list.”

“Council and residents have been campaigning for more than two decades for lifts at Doonside. All we got was a token lick of paint and a facelift at the station last year.

“At the time I said Doonie needs a lift, not a facelift. It needs reconstructive surgery! One year later, and clearly the people who rely on these railway stations are being shafted again,” said Mayor Bali.

This week, Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance announced that the NSW Budget 2018 will include a further $133 million in the next financial year for the Transport Access Program.

The funding will provide for accessibility upgrades at North Strathfield, Kingswood, Hazelbrook, Wyee, Blayney, Mittagong, Clarendon, Hawkesbury River, Wahroonga, Taree, Roseville and further progression of Glenbrook, Beecroft, Millthorpe and Como stations.

“Doonside station is once again being ignored in favour of the North Shore and Inner West, yet Blacktown City is one of the fastest growing Council areas in NSW.

“Unfortunately the Berejiklian government has chosen yet again to ignore the elderly, mothers with prams and people with a disability in Doonside.”

“According to the most recent Census, 6.4 per cent of Doonside’s population needs help in their daily lives because of a disability.”

“It’s time we ramp up the ante and lobby Premier Gladys Berejiklian to put our lifts on the list.”

“Council is hosting a community forum in Doonside next month and I invite Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance to come and hear directly from our residents how they struggle to get to school and work every day without a lift at these stations.”

Media Contact:

Communications Unit, Blacktown City Council Keiasha Naidoo – 9839 6914 Martha Azzi – 9839 6926    (phones divert to mobiles after hours) email:  [email protected]