Two communities in southwest Sydney will receive long-awaited accessibility upgrades at their local train stations, with Carramar and Yennora stations set for new lifts and other essential works.
Left behind by the former Liberal-National government, these two suburban stations have never been fully accessible despite hosting diverse communities with a high proportion of young families with prams, people with disability and elderly people.
After local campaigns, supported by their local Labor MPs, Carramar, which opened in 1924, and Yennora, which opened in 1927, will both receive major works.
Carramar will:
- Now have lift access from underpass to platform
- Upgraded ramps and pathways
- New tactile indicators to assist blind and vision-impaired passengers
Yennora will:
- Now have lift access connecting an upgraded footbridge with street and platforms
- New station forecourts featuring landscaping, seating and lighting
- A new station building
Both stations will have power supply upgrades, better lighting, CCTV, clearer signage, family accessible and unisex ambulant toilets, accessible parking, and kiss and ride parking.
The work is being funded by the Minns Labor Government's $800 million Safe Accessible Transport program which currently has 15 projects funded for delivery and 16 for design and investigation.
Major milestones were reached at Macquarie Fields and Chester Hill stations over the weekend, with work on lift installation, platform resurfacing, and safety screens.
Work will be completed on the Bardwell Park station upgrade in coming months.
Recently delivered upgrades include stations at Griffith, Moss Vale, Queanbeyan, and Tuggerah.
While delivering the massive metro and road infrastructure Sydney needs, the Minns Labor Government is focused on improving the daily journeys of the 1.1 million people each weekday who use Sydney Trains.
An investment of $458 million is currently bringing rail reliability up to scratch, with work on tracks, signals and overhead wires recommended by the 2025 Independent Rail Review led by Kerry Schott.
At the same time, a new and upgraded train fleet is rolling on to the tracks. In April, the new intercity Mariyung train went into service on the South Coast Line, following its introduction on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line in December 2024 and the Blue Mountains Line in October last year.
The $447 million Tangara Life Extension program is updating 55 trains. Newer trains mean fewer breakdowns and delays.
The NSW Government is also overhauling the Opal ticketing system, with a new Opal app, easier ways to save money and the introduction of a digital Opal card as part of an $820 million investment in convenience, affordability and reliability.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
"South West Sydney has been forgotten by successive governments and we're not doing that.
"The communities around Yennora and Carramar have been crying out for decades for the lifts and accessibility features that are enjoyed at so many other railway stations and right across the Sydney Metro system.
"A single lift to a platform or a better ramp can be the difference between someone being able to use the Sydney Trains network and get around like everyone else to work, study and social outings.
"We are focused on improving the everyday experience of those 1.1 million people who use the Sydney Trains network as we invest in reliability, convenience, technology and accessibility."
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"I want to particularly thank local Labor MP David Saliba for his tireless advocacy for these upgrades, which included doorknocking thousands of homes in the area before knocking at my door as minister to ask for action.
"Carramar and Yennora stations have changed very little since they were built in the 1920s and both are past due for these updates."
Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said:
"This will be a gamechanger for locals with disability, elderly people, and families with prams. We are investing in accessible upgrades across the State because we know that removing barriers to getting around is a win for everyone.
"Station by station, the Minns Labor Government is making NSW more accessible and inclusive."
Member for Fairfield David Saliba said:
"After 12 years of neglect from the former government, the Carramar and Yennora community is getting what it so desperately needs.
"Our petition for these upgrades received thousands of signatures, with many residents in the community telling me these are essential for getting to work and visiting family and friends - and now that's becoming a reality.
"This project shows the power of the people at work, and I am proud to be part of a government delivering this for Carramar and Yennora."
Member for Cabramatta Tri Vo said:
"Upgrading our local train stations is a major win for our local community, making public transport safer, more accessible and more inclusive for everyone.
"These long-awaited upgrades will transform how people in our community access public transport, ensuring no one is left behind.
"It's fantastic that everyone in our community will now be able to access public transport with these upgrades."
Member for Granville Julia Finn said:
"I am thrilled that these stations will be upgraded, as the residents and businesses have been advocating for these improvements for such a long time.
"This investment is delivering modern, accessible facilities that meet the needs of our growing and diverse community."
