Once again, the residents of Toongabbie have been ignored by the Baird Liberal Government, Michelle Rowland has said today.

Ms Rowland was referring to the recent announcement that the State Government will provide lifts and other upgrades at some train stations – but not to other local stations where upgrades are desperately needed.

“While it is positive news that the State Government has finally agreed to build lifts at Pendle Hill train station in response to an ongoing community campaign backed by myself and Nathan Rees MP, this is cold comfort to the elderly, parents with prams and people with a disability who still cannot get safe access to Toongabbie train station,” Ms Rowland said.

Ms Rowland said this was one of the biggest issues in Toongabbie and the State Government had failed to provide these much needed access upgrades.

“Just recently, I have spoken to countless commuters at Toongabbie and they are crying out for these upgrades. Yet again, the State Liberals have failed these residents,” Ms Rowland said.

“This was another chance for the Government to fix this issue and they have shown just how out of touch they are, choosing instead to waste $33 million on a ‘refresh’ to beautify some stations which have already enjoyed multi-million dollar upgrades.

“I call on the NSW Liberals to direct taxpayers’ money to where it is really needed and give Toongabbie station the lifts its residents deserve”, Ms Rowland said.

Ms Rowland said she had contacted the Department of Transport and requested further details of the announced upgrade, including a start date, construction timing, community consultation and an artist’s impression. To date this information has not been received.

“Now that the announcement has been made, residents rightly expect these works at Pendle Hill station to start promptly”, Ms Rowland said.

“I note that the upgrade for Wentworthville station was actually announced more than a year ago , yet it is included again in the list of station upgrades in the NSW Government’s latest announcement last week.

“It’s no wonder local residents have lost confidence in this NSW Liberal Government”.

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WEDNESDAY, 6 AUGUST 2014