Lord Mayor Clover Moore, members of the local council, and the
Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes attended the public meeting
and threw their support behind the movement. Mr Innes congratulated the crowd
and said the community action had begun to “raise the focus on Redfern station”
which has been “sidelined” in successive government agendas.
The campaign also received backing from the University of Sydney, which
sees large numbers of students using the station. “This is a really important
issue for the university and we stand here in support for this campaign,” said
Professor Stephen Garton, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney.
In response to parliamentary questions to the Transport Minister from
Clover Moore about the time frame for station development, the Minister Gladys
Berejiklian said: “The government is in the process of determining where future
upgrades to stations will take place and Redfern station will be considered as
part of this review.” This response has angered campaigners who believe that
the state government has ignored the issue for too long.
The campaign is now aiming to force the issue into the spotlight by
focusing on a petition drive in and around Redfern station. Ten thousand
signatures would see the issue debated in state parliament. Geoff Turnbull,
spokesperson for Redfern community group REDWatch, said that gaining the right
numbers was only the start of the fight. “We don’t think that 10,000 signatures
is going to be the be all and end all, it’s just basically part of getting
pressure on the government … It’s really about trying to just ratchet up the
pressure so it’s just embarrassing not to deal with such a large and important
conversation,” he said.
Equitable access to Redfern station has been raised for the last 20
years but successive state governments have brushed aside the issue. “We have
heard so many promises,” said Greens Councillor Irene Doutney. The issue has
regained momentum recently after a Mayoral Minute supporting the campaign was
fully endorsed by the City of Sydney. The Council will also ask the soon-to-be
established Central Sydney Traffic and Transport Committee to make equitable
access at Redfern a priority issue.
Petitions will be collected in and around the station until April 18
and community members and transport users are encouraged to support the
campaign to help collect the 10,000 signatures. As of Friday March 30 the count
was 5,768, with two weeks to go.
Photo: Andrea Srisurapon Clover Moore, Graeme Innes and campaigners for equal access at Redfern station & Photo: Bill Yan: Laura Kelly from South Sydney Community Aid collects signatures for petition
Source: The South Sydney Herald April 2012 – www.southsydneyherald.com.au