MEDIA RELEASE - LABOR WILL EXPAND COMMUTER PARKING AT QUAKERS HILL TRAIN STATION - 15 FEBRUARY 2019

15 February 2019

Joint with Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese MP, NSW Shadow Minister for Transport, Jodi McKay MP, Federal Member for Chifley, Ed Husic MP and Labor Candidate for Riverstone, Dr Annemarie Christie.

Federal and State Labor governments would jointly invest $16 million to nearly double car parking at the Quakers Hill train station to ease parking shortages and encourage more commuters to use public transport.

The existing 270-space carpark at Quakers Hill train station is full by 7.30am each weekday. This means commuters rushing to catch their trains to work are forced to park in surrounding streets and walk to the station, creating more congestion and inconvenience to nearby residents.
 
A Federal Labor Government would partner with a NSW State Labor Government to provide 225 extra spaces in a new multi-level carpark at Quakers Hill station.
 
This will make a real, practical difference to residents of Quakers Hill.
 
Across Australia, traffic congestion is acting as a hand brake on productivity and is eroding our national quality of life.
 
Federal Labor’s $8 million investment will be drawn from the $300 million National Park and Ride Fund proposed by Federal Labor for new or expanded car parks at public transport hubs.

State Labor’s commitment will be drawn from its $1 billion dollar fund for station upgrades and improved station access across Sydney.
 
Shadow Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the Quakers Hill expansion would make a real, practical difference for commuters while also reducing congestion for local residents.
 
“We’ll not only invest in new public transport services, but also deliver practical measures to help commuters get to work with a minimum of fuss, including through our new Park and Ride Fund,’’ Mr Albanese said.
 
“Public transport isn’t just about the train line or bus route itself. It’s also about the surrounding infrastructure that makes it work for local residents.’’
 
NSW Shadow Minister for Transport Jodi McKay said: “Labor will make public transport more accessible for people across the North West. This commuter carpark will make it easier for train travellers in Quakers Hill to use the train network to travel to work.
 
‘Our priorities are better public transport, better schools and better hospitals. We’ll prioritise projects that make life easier for people, like this commuter carpark, instead of spending $2.2 billion on stadiums.”
 
Labor Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland said that local residents make the importance of commuter parking crystal clear every time she doorknocks or holds mobile offices in the area.

“Labor is committed to making real improvements to the quality of life for residents in North West Sydney, particularly when it comes to public transport infrastructure,’’ Ms Rowland said.

“For the growing community in North West Sydney, this announcement, alongside Labor’s funding for commuter parking at Schofields Station, will make a significant difference for local commuters.’’

Labor Member for Chifley Ed Husic said "The pressure is on Western Sydney, we have so many people moving in and the infrastructure is not keeping pace. Governments need to think and plan ahead for growth and that’s what Labor is doing with this top announcement.

"This is an increasingly busy station and today’s announcement will make travel easier for residents."

Labor Candidate for Riverstone Dr Annemarie Christie said: “The community has been crying out for better commuter carparking at Quakers Hill station for eight long years.
 
“Labor will deliver the infrastructure that the North West needs, not $2.2 billion to Sydney stadiums that nobody asked for.”
 
Labor’s plans for Quakers Hill station build on our commitment to invest $3 billion in the new Western Sydney Rail line through the Western suburbs to the Western Sydney Airport.