11 000 demand immediate action to make Redfern Station accessible

Community campaigners “Lift Redfern: Make Redfern Station Accessible Now” announce their month long Peoples Petition campaign culminates on Wednesday 2^nd May with the presentation to local state member Kristina Keneally of over 10 000 signatures calling for immediate action by the government to make Redfern Station accessible.

Media Conference / Photographic Opportunity

Where: Parliament House: Rear Gates under the Knowledge Tree, Domain Lawn

When: 10am, Wednesday 2^nd May 2012

Speakers: Member for Heffron Kristina Keneally

Interview Opportunities: Other parliamentarians; mobility-challenged community members

Joel Pringle from the campaign said “despite Redfern being one of the cityʼs busiest stations, with over 42,000 people using it every day, its accessibility issues continue to be ignored. Last week the Minister for Transport released a $100 million blitz list of urgent station upgrade works, but Redfern was once again overlooked and ignored. Not even one lift to one platform.

“With 12 platforms Redfern Station is second to Central for inter-change possibilities and the sixth busiest station for entrances and exits. People with disabilities, older people, parents with young children, pregnant women, people with short-term mobility issues, and people with luggage or shopping have great difficulty in accessing or cannot access the station at all. Redfern Station needs to be on the accessibility upgrade list and at the top, so that these vital works can commence.

“Public transport should be available to everyone. It is unacceptable that a key station on our rail network is shut off to some members of our community.”

“It’s great to have so many varied groups within our broader community working together to achieve an outcome we all need. When the government’s infrastructure report is released later this year, Redfern Station must be at the top of the list,” said Pringle.

A parliamentary debate on access at Redfern Station is expected by the end of August 2012.

Supporters of the 'Lift Redfern Station' campaign include the University of Sydney; local community organisations: The Factory, South Sydney Community Aid and The Settlement; South Sydney Business Chamber; Gadigal Information Services; South Sydney Rabbitohs; full supporters list at: http://liftredfernstation.wordpress.com/about-us/

For more information: http://liftredfernstation.wordpress.com/