The accessibility and customer improvements are designed to make public transport easier to use for everyone, particularly those living with disabilities, older passengers, parents and carers with prams, and customers with mobility needs.
The project will deliver:
- Two new lifts
- New accessible footpaths
- Four new accessible parking spaces
- Improved access to platforms and station facilities
- Upgraded bathroom amenities to include a family accessible toilet and a unisex ambulant toilet
- Connecting the station to bus stops on Gladstone Avenue, by relocating and updating bus stops
- Bicycle parking
- Enhanced lighting, wayfinding and CCTV for security
- Platform tactiles, emergency help points and clearer wayfinding signage.
Transport for NSW consulted with the community and people with disability on concept designs for the Coniston Station upgrade in 2025, with feedback helping shape the project.
Planning approval, procurement of delivery contract and detail design development activities will be undertaken in 2027, with a target construction commencement in 2028.
Once the detail design is developed, it will take around 18 months to complete project construction activities.
Coniston joins a growing number of stations benefiting from the SAT program, with more than 72 per cent of suburban, intercity, metro and regional stations across NSW now accessible to people of all abilities.
This upgrade complements broader efforts to improve transport access and connectivity across Wollongong, including the draft Wollongong Station Precinct Master Plan, which when complete will set out a long-term vision to transform the city's busiest rail gateway into a better-connected, more welcoming and integrated transport hub.
Together, these projects form part of the Minns Labor Government's wider$6.8 billion investment in South Coast rail infrastructure which includes plans to duplicate the South Coast line and electrify the Kiama to Bomaderry line, starting with a major maintenance program to upgrade critical infrastructure.
This also complements the recently released Illawarra Shoalhaven Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan, a 20-year blueprint identifying more than 45 initiatives to improve connections across the region.
Quotes attributed to Minister for Transport, John Graham
"Coniston Station is more than a century old, and this upgrade will ensure it can better meet the needs of today's passengers and the growing Wollongong community.
"Through the Safe Accessible Transport program, we're making it easier for people to move around the public transport network safely, independently and with confidence."
Quotes attributed to Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, Ryan Park
"The Illawarra is seeing significant investment in transport infrastructure, with the roll out of new Mariyung trains and a commitment to transform rail services to keep up with future growth.
"The Coniston upgrade is another important step in improving the daily journey for local passengers and strengthening connections across the region."
Minister for Planning and Public Space and Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:
"The Minns Government is building the public transport system that a growing city like Wollongong needs.
"Every public transport system must be accessible to everyone. It's why I fought with the previous government for years to get lifts at Unanderra Station and why I have been advocating for the 101-year-old Coniston Station to be bought up to modern standards.
"These upgrades will make train services more accessible, safer and more reliable."
Quotes attributed to Minister for Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison:
"Everyone deserves to be able to access public transport safely and easily, and these upgrades will make a real difference for people who rely on Coniston Station.
"That's exactly what our Illawarra Shoalhaven Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan is about. We're taking a long-term approach to improving connections and making it easier for people to get around their community."
