Doonside station lift gets snubbed yet again

DOONSIDE commuters have once again been overlooked, this time in favour of lifts at the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Doonside commuters are in desperate need for a lift at the station for the elderly and disabled.

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Doonside commuters have once again been overlooked, this time in favour of lifts at the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The community has been lobbying the State Government for over 20 years to no avail. The snub has been made worse by the NSW Government announcing plans to install lifts at Kirribilli and The Rocks for pedestrians to access the Harbour Bridge walkway.

Roads Minister Duncan Gay and Disability Services Minister John Ajaka announced the changes last week.

Artist impressions of proposed lifts at Sydney Harbour Bridge. Source: RMS

“These changes would mean there are no constraints for people with prams, the elderly or for those in a wheelchair to access the Sydney Harbour Bridge walkway,” Mr Gay said.

“When the bridge was opened in 1932, access wasn’t considered like it is now in 2016 and it makes sense that as our community becomes more inclusive, the bridge moves with the times.”

But despite Doonside having more than 840 people with a disability and 1949 elderly residents, the Government has failed to pledge a lift at the station.

A large proportion of parents push their children in prams, with 7.2 per cent of residents under the age of five.

The proposed lifts at Sydney Harbour Bridge. Source: RMS

“Doonside lifts are a much-needed facility for people with disabilities, elderly and mothers with prams,” Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali said.

“I can understand that tourism and other aspects are important. But enough is enough.’’

Cr Bali said the government often focused about Badgerys Creek Airport but should fix old, ageing infrastructure before addressing new projects.

The 2015-16 Budget allocated $890 million over four years to upgrade stations, including Toongabbie, Pendle Hill, Rooty Hill and Wentworthville, as well as building a commuter carpark at Marayong.

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said: “Every station is eligible for upgrades and we carefully consider where they are needed most. Doonside will be considered for future upgrade work.

Doonside residents have been lobbying for a lift at the station for over 20 years.

“When deciding where to allocate funds for upgrade works, we consider the needs and demographics of customers who use the facility.”

The Blacktown Advocate and Blacktown Council are continuing to campaign for a lift. The petition to bring a lift to Doonside was signed by almost 5000 residents at the Doonside Village Festival, Cr Bali said.

The aim is to reach 10,000 signatures so Blacktown state Labor MP John Robertson can raise the issue in Parliament.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance did not respond to a request for comment by the Blacktown Advocate.