Communities across the Mid North Coast are invited to help shape major accessibility and safety upgrades proposed for seven train stations.
Draft designs for Kempsey, Kendall, Macksville, Nambucca Heads, Sawtell, Urunga and Wingham stations are now on public exhibition as part of the Minns Labor Government’s Safe Accessible Transport (SAT) program.
The program aims to make public transport safer, more inclusive and easier to use for everyone, particularly people with disability, older passengers, people with prams and passengers with limited mobility.
While each station design has been tailored to local needs, proposed improvements include:
- wider and safer platforms
- upgraded accessible toilets and pathways
- better lighting, signage and security features
- new ramps and stairs
- improved accessible parking, bike storage and bus stop connections.
The proposal would upgrade stations to achieve Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (DSAPT), help modernise ageing infrastructure and improve safety, amenity, accessibility and comfort for the communities who rely on these stations every day.
The designs have been informed by consultation with key stakeholders including people with disability, carers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, local councils and women and girls from the local communities.
Feedback received highlighted the need for:
- accessible parking closer to station entrances
- safer and easier station access via ramps and handrails
- more accessible amenities including toilets
- stronger safety measures such as CCTV, help points and improved visibility at night.
These station upgrades are funded for planning, site investigations and development of detailed design.
Feedback on the station designs is open until 11:59 am Sunday 5 July and will help Transport for NSW refine the design for future delivery.
To view the draft designs and learn more about the proposal, please visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say or head directly to the pages for Wingham, Kendall, Kempsey, Macksville, Urunga, Sawtell,Nambucca Heads.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington:
“The Minns Labor Government is investing over $800 million to build safer and more accessible public transport across NSW, including along the beautiful Mid North Coast.
“One in five people in NSW have disability, many more have mobility issues, so these upgrades to regional train stations are critical to improving safety and accessibility for everyone.
“This is a great opportunity for people with disability on the Mid North Coast to keep having their say in the design of their local train stations, ensuring these upgrades reflect the needs of the regional commuters they serve.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison:
“These proposed upgrades are about making public transport easier, safer and more accessible for everyone in the community.”
“Whether you’re travelling with a pram or bicycle, using a mobility aid, carrying luggage or simply finding stairs more difficult, these improvements will help make catching the train a better experience.
“We want to hear directly from local communities, so the final designs reflect the needs of the people who use these stations every day.
“Improving accessibility at regional stations is an important step in modernising our transport network, and making sure no one is left behind.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin:
“Public transport is a lifeline for our regional communities, but it only works if everyone can actually use it. Upgrading these seven stations is about ensuring that an older passenger, a parent with a pram, or someone using a mobility aid can catch a train with total confidence and independence.
“Features like better lighting, proper ramps, and accessible parking aren’t luxury extras – they are basic expectations for a modern regional transport network.
“We need local knowledge to get this right, which is why I urge everyone on the Mid North Coast to look at these designs and help shape the future of our local stations.”
