JOINT PUSH FOR INLAND RAIL LIFTS

The Members for Wagga Wagga and Albury have joined with Regional Disability Advocacy Service to highlight the lack of accessibility options on new pedestrian bridges, as part of the Inland Rail upgrade.    

The Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, and Member for Albury, Mr Justin Clancy, have shared concerns that there is no plan to include lifts, despite community feedback showing they are needed.  

Dr McGirr said the proposed accessibility ramps were too challenging for people with disability to use effectively.   

‘Inland Rail already creates a physical division through Wagga and the situation would be made worse for people with disability, creating an obstacle that could leave some members of our community stranded on either side,’ he said.    

‘Inland Rail needs to come back with new plans that include disability access lifts as well as the ramps, particularly at the Wagga and Albury stations, so that nobody is disadvantaged.’    

Mr Clancy said provision was included on the plans for lifts to be fitted retrospectively, however, there is a fear this will not happen.  

‘The plans have changed several times, making the ramps longer, but at no point has there been solid provision for an accessibility lift,’ Mr Clancy said.   

‘The length of the ramps on the pedestrian bridges is daunting and dangerous for many people who have mobility issues, it can render these crossings inaccessible.’    

Executive Officer of Regional Disability Advocacy Service, Ben Foley said the current designs do not pass the pub test.   

‘If there were no lifts at Central Station in Sydney there would be a community outcry, so why does Inland Rail think residents of Albury and Wagga Wagga should be treated differently?” Mr Foley said.  

‘We will need lifts at both train stations, which will benefit not only people with disability but also parents with prams and anyone with mobility issues.”   

Dr McGirr and Mr Clancy have written to the NSW Minister for State Planning Minister Paul Scully, asking him to ensure Inland Rail does not receive final approval on the pedestrian bridges without the inclusion of lifts.    

‘With construction due to commence in both cities this year, there is still time to change the plans,’ Mr Clancy said.