Lift Redfern campaign reaches parliament

The Lift Redfern campaign draws on a coalition of residents, workers, business, disability and community groups, demanding better access at the busy inner city railway.

The campaign began in January and has now gathered enough support to trigger a debate in state parliament.

Campaigner Joel Pringle said despite Redfern being one of the city’s busiest stations, with more than 42,000 people using it every day, accessibility issues continue to be ignored.

“Last week the (Gladys Berejiklian) Minister for Transport released a $100 million blitz list of urgent station upgrade works, but Redfern was once again overlooked,” Mr Pringle said.

“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 the station. It is unacceptable that a key station on our rail network is shut off to some members of our community.”

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

Supporters of the Lift Redfern campaign include the University of Sydney, community organisations such as The Factory, South Sydney Community Aid and The Settlement, South Sydney Business Chamber, Gadigal Information Services and South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Visit the website of community group REDWatch for info on the campaign, at redwatch.org.au.

Source: http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/news/story/residents-demand-a-lift/