NEWS
Inner West stations get makeovers As part of a series of new upgrades in the Inner West, improved accessibility measures have been introduced at a number of train stations. Following years of campaigning from residents, major works are being undertaken at Erskineville, Petersham and St Peters stations, with a variety of changes made to address community concerns over accessibility. “People are thrilled that everyone will now be able to use the stations, no matter what their mobility challenges are,” member for Newtown Jenny Leong said. “The changes to accessibility are a credit to the tireless effort of the community writing letters, gathering signatures on petitions and holding actions.” Among the Petersham station
and footbridge at Bridge Street, with both a lift and stairs to connect the footbridge to the platforms. St Peters makeover will feature two new lifts, two kiss-and-ride spaces, an accessible parking space and the introduction of two canopies. The station upgrades have been welcomed by local residents, said St Peters station Inner West councillor Liz Atkins — upgrades are new male and female and there are more to come. ambulant toilets, a family accessible “Residents are looking forward to the toilet, CCTV surveillance and a new upgrades at Stanmore Station which access ramp from the station entrance Transport for NSW are consulting on.” to the footbridge. Two new lifts Stanmore station does not currently connecting the existing footbridge to meet the required standards for the the Terminus Street entrance and the Commonwealth Disability station platform have also been Discrimination Act 1992 and the installed. Disability Standards for Accessible The Erskineville upgrade is a work in Public Transport 2002. An upgrade is progress. Among the fixes: a crossing currently in the planning stage.
Housing for All to tackle affordability In February, City of Sydney council voted to create a Housing for All committee. The move follows sustained calls for more affordable housing in the city (see page 22). Greens CoS councillor Sylvie Ellsmore said local government had a crucial role to play in solving the issue. “Affordable housing is the responsibility of all levels of government,” Ellsmore said. “The City of Sydney already has a number of strong initiatives to support the growth of social housing and a percentage of affordable housing in new developments. However, the city is not currently on track to deliver against its own targets — let alone meet the calls for stronger action from the community,” she said. The affordable housing committee will be supported by a working group
that will partner with housing advocates, community groups and neighbouring councils. With the cost of living soaring, Australians are feeling the squeeze more than ever. In the housing market, whether buying or renting, many innercity residents are feeling despondent. A recent Australian study on the impacts of the COVID pandemic found it had, through the loss of work or education, affected the hope of home ownership for many people. Member for Newtown Jenny Leong said the current situation made the Housing for All committee all the more vital. “I congratulate the council for establishing this committee and acknowledging the needs of our community when it comes to addressing the housing crisis in our city, which makes it so difficult for many people to
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pay rent or find housing that they can afford,” Leong said. Meanwhile, Mission Australia is among a number of charities to have voiced deep concern that the federal government’s budget failed to adequately invest in social housing and affordable homes. “Addressing the magnitude of the need for affordable housing will take much greater investment from the federal government,” said Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister. With more than 200,000 people nationwide on the social housing waiting list, Callister added: “The scale of the problem requires national leadership. We need urgent action from the federal government to provide long-term housing solutions that will address our social and affordable home shortfall.”
