Labor has promised to overcome a frustration for ferry commuters catching trains at Cronulla.
Many residents from Bundeena and Maianbar are perplexed as to why the entrance has remained closed for so long.
- Labor transport spokeswoman Jodi McKay
Opposition transport spokeswoman Jodi McKay said a Labor government would open the northern gate to Cronulla station.
Ms McKay and Labor candidate for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart highlighted the matter, which they said had been the source of many complaints from residents of Bundeena and Maianbar.
“The gate was closed years ago and despite continued representations, including numerous petitions to the local members of Heathcote and Cronulla, no effort has been made by the NSW Government to open the entrance,” Ms McKay said.
“Many residents from Bundeena and Maianbar are perplexed as to why the entrance has remained closed for so long.”
Sydney Trains said the gate was “closed for safety and security purposes”.
A spokesman said the reasons “related to travellers entering the station through dedicated access points which are fully accessible and monitored by staff and CCTV to help reduce fare evasion”.
Cronulla MP and Attorney-General Mark Speakman said he asked on three separate occasions, in 2013, 2014 and 2015, whether the northern gate could be kept open.
“The position of Sydney Trains is that it is an emergency exit which should generally remain shut for security and safety reasons,” he said.
Heathcote MP Lee Evans said the matter had been “canvassed previously and the response from Transport was it was not going to be opened”.
“Opal card readers would have to be installed at the gate,” he said. “One reason given is the access and exit through the gate to the platform was dangerous and not to code.
“I’ve been advised the distance from the gate and the official opening is less than 50 metres.”
Mr Evans said the station was not in his electorate, which made his representations on the matter less effective.
