New designs released for Redfern’s $100m station upgrade

Transport for NSW has released new designs for its $100 million revamp of Redfern railway station, after months of meetings with disgruntled residents. It will include six new lifts and a second concourse for the 62,300 commuters who use the station each day.

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Redfern railway station’s $100 million upgrade has taken a step forward, with the release of new plans for Sydney’s sixth busiest stop.

Transport for NSW has now included a community-led design for the station’s new southern concourse among four official options for the project, following a series of public meetings.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance announced in February Redfern was in line for its long-awaited revamp, which will include six new lifts and a second concourse for the 62,300 commuters who flock to the station each day.

Redfern train station only has lift access to two of its platforms. Picture: Transport for NSW

Initial plans showed the concourse would connect across the tracks between Marion and Little Eveleigh streets, with an entrance located at the site occupied by The Big Issue magazine.

However, residents made it known of their objection to using Little Eveleigh St as an entry point, saying it would flood the narrow street with pedestrians.

Option 1: Plans for a major upgrade at Redfern train station. Picture: Transport for NSW

Option 2 would use Wilson St. Picture: Transport for NSW

In a letter sent out to residents, Transport for NSW confirmed it was exploring three alternatives that would instead connect the 6m-wide concourse with Wilson St, a move pushed for by residents.

Greens MP for Newtown Jenny Leong and residents on Little Eveleigh St, who are concerned about a plan to create a new entry to the station on the narrow residential street.

Reconnect Redfern member Jack Carnegie said space on Little Eveleigh St was so tight commuters would “basically walk out of the station and into someone’s dining room”.

“Tell me one other major station where the entrance is directly across from someone’s residence,” he said.

The letter states that connecting to Wilson St would alleviate concerns over crowding in Little Eveleigh St, but the concourse would have to run just metres from the back of homes and be visible “above fence-level”.

Option 3 would have a shorter walk to Wilson St. Picture: Transport for NSW

Option 4 focuses on the Marion St side. Picture: Transport for NSW

Option four, based largely on resident feedback, also addresses concerns raised by residents on the other side of the tracks, who asked the entry be moved further south to lead into the major employment hub at South Eveleigh.

“In response to community feedback, Transport for NSW has explored design options for a

station entrance in South Eveleigh, which would bring passengers closer to the workplaces in that precinct,” the newsletter states.

The project remains in the planning stage, as transport officials call for feedback on the new designs.

It is expected to cost in the mid $90 million range.

“Subject to planning approval, construction is expected to take approximately 15 months to complete,” a spokeswoman said.

“We will keep the community informed on a regular basis as the project progresses.”

Redfern is one of Sydney’s busiest stations. Picture: Luke Drew