Redfern Station - Transport Minister Responds to Clover Moore Questions

With respect to repeated Government promises to upgrade Redfern Railway Station so that it is safe, accessible and meets transport needs, including being a priority for the Redfern-Waterloo Partnership Project and the Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA): 

1. Do 19,000 passengers use Redfern Railway Station each day?

2. Is Redfern the eighth busiest station in NSW?

3. (a) Did the Redfern-Waterloo Partnership Project work on a concept plan in 2002?

(b) If so, what was the outcome of that work?

4. (a) Was $250,000 allocated for a concept design study in 2004?

(b) If so, what was the outcome of that study?

5. Did the Redfern-Waterloo Authority call for tenders to "investigate the options for the redevelopment of Redfern Station" for the RWA and RailCorp in 2006, with consultants to be appointed by July 2006?

6. Is the redevelopment of Redfern Station a priority in both the RWA's 2005 Human Services Plan and 2006 Built Environment Plan?

7. Was the Redfern Station redevelopment included in the November 2005 Urban Transport Statement as a "Capacity and Service Improvement Initiative" to be completed by 2011?

8. (a) Have at least eight concept plans been developed for Redfern Railway Station?

(b) If not, how many concept plans have been prepared?

9. Did the RWA announce in May 2008 that design work would begin soon?

10. When will designs for an accessible Redfern Railway Station be completed and what consultation is planned?

11. When will redevelopment of Redfern Railway Station commence and be completed?

Answer—

I am advised that physical accessibility at CityRail stations now exceeds the 25% target set for 2007 by the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, with 117 of the 307 operational CityRail stations being wheelchair accessible. It is estimated 75% of passengers now use accessible stations. 

The NSW Government will continue working hard to upgrade existing train stations to ensure our passengers have safe, modern and accessible facilities. 

More than $30 million in funding has been allocated to the design, planning and construction of accessibility upgrades, including Easy Access upgrades, across the CityRail network during the 2009/10 financial year. 

Stations are being upgraded in a priority order as part of the Easy Access Program based on a number of weighted criteria including (but not limited to): patronage; strategic importance to the network; potential growth; bus services; car parking; shopping; walking access; access to medical facilities; access to educational facilities; tourism; rail interchanges/termination within and between lines; and proximity to alternative accessible stations. 

Specific questions concerning the actions of the Redfern Waterloo Authority are a matter for the Minister for Redfern Waterloo. 

I am advised that RailCorp and the Redfern Waterloo Authority jointly funded a study in 2006 to revise options developed in 2004, based on a land-based survey of the station elements to ensure accurate drawings and passenger counts. 

The upgrade of Redfern Station was shown in the Urban Transport Statement as a 2011 project. Construction is currently expected to take 3 to 4 years to complete, subject to staging. 

I am advised that RailCorp and the Redfern Waterloo Authority have identified a preferred option for development at the station, although the Redfern Waterloo Authority has requested that RailCorp amend a few elements of that option. I understand that this is currently being done. 

A community consultation plan is currently been developed. It is expected that community consultation will begin in 2010, once funding for the project has been secured.