Service NSW centre to open at Merrylands, three years on from RMS closure

Three years after the RMS shut at Merrylands, motorists are to get a permanent Service NSW centre — a move labelled “cynical and pathetic”.

Granville state Liberal candidate Tony Issa and Services Minister Victor Dominello at Merrylands.

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Three years on from a Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) closing at Merrylands, motorists are to get a permanent Service NSW centre — a move labelled “cynical and pathetic”.

It was announced by Services Minister Victor Dominello earlier today, calling it a “one-stop shop” where licence renewals, birth certificates and driver’s knowledge and eye tests will be available.

Tony Issa and Victor Dominello at the bus, providing a mobile Service NSW centre at Merrylands until Friday.

The announcement was made at McFarlane St, Merrylands, where two mobile vans will offer such services until Friday.

The site for the permanent centre has not been determined.

Mr Dominello was joined by Granville state Liberal candidate Tony Issa during the announcement, who collected signatures for a petition to reinstate the service.

Mr Issa said he lobbied Mr Dominello and the Premier to have Service NSW at Merrylands.

“I really pushed hard for it and thank the thousands of people who signed my petition,’’ he said.

Mr Dominello said: “The bad old days of waiting hours to complete a simple government transaction, such as renewing your driver's licence, are over.

“Service NSW already reaches more than 98 per cent of NSW residents, but we’re determined to reach every corner of the state.”

‘It’s a bit rich’: Julia Finn is cynical about Service NSW centre at Merrylands. Picture: Angelo Velardo

However, Granville state Labor MP Julia Finn labelled the government’s move “cynical and pathetic”.

“They can’t pat themselves on the back for putting back something they took away,’’ Ms Finn said.

“It’s a bit rich. They’re being really stingy. They took away services for years and bringing them back six weeks before the State Election.”

In May, 2016, the motor registry shut at Merrylands where it had operated for 29 years.

The closure forced residents to go to Auburn or Parramatta registries, where driver’s knowledge tests are not available.

Opposition roads spokeswoman Jodi McKay and Julia Finn at the old registry.

Mr Dominello said “it’s 100 per cent going to be built”.

“It’s a high growth area. If you look at the Cumberland Council area it’s forecast to grow by about 22 per cent by 2036 so … it’s going through massive population growth,’’ he said.

At the time, a Service NSW spokeswoman said the Merrylands motor registry was unable to accommodate requirements to meet customers’ needs.

Rositano Furniture now occupies the former RMS site at McFarlane St but Cumberland Mayor Greg Cummings said an ideal site for the new centre would be where BBC Hardware once operated at Merrylands Rd, a site also favoured by Mr Issa.

He said he was cynical about timing of the announcement but welcomed the Service NSW centre to the CBD.

“It’s a great asset to the CBD,’’ he said.

As well as being a motor registry, Service NSW centres offer a services such as obtaining a birth certificate, seniors card, driver’s licence and renewing vehicle registration.

The public also has access to cost-of-living programs such as Free Rego, Energy Switch and $100 Active Kids and Creative vouchers.

A Service NSW centre will also open at Schofields.