A little over two years ago, footage of double amputee Toby Lyndon pulling himself up the stairs at Unanderra station caused “a global stir”, said Wollongong MP Paul Scully.
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In February 2015, Mr Lyndon, along with stroke survivor Bec Lachlan and well-known playwright Wendy Richardson were filmed struggling up what Mr Scully termed the “72-step struggle”.
In a speech in parliament this month, Mr Scully reminded the Premier Gladys Berejiklian that she was Transport Minister at the time and that she found the footage “distressing”.
However, Mr Scully said the government had gone through two elections – one state and the Wollongong by-election – and not committed to funding to remove the stairs Mr Lyndon had to drag himself up.
“Despite the fact that the Minister for Transport in 2015 is now the Premier, and there is a new Transport Minister in her place, I cannot fault the government's consistency on this issue – it continues not to fund the lift,” Mr Scully said.
He branded the decision not to fund the lifts as “purely political”, citing Transport for NSW rankings that showed Unanderra listed above Leura, yet the latter is being upgraded first.
I cannot fault the government's consistency on this issue – it continues not to fund the lift.
- Paul Scully
Transport for NSW said this was due to delays in the concept plans for Unanderra and Leura was brought forward as it was ready to proceed.
Mr Scully said the upcoming state budget was the government’s chance to “fix its woeful record” and fund an upgrade at Unanderra station.
“I was heartened to hear recently that a Transport for NSW spokesperson indicated an upgrade for Unanderra station would be delivered, and that concept plans were being developed,” he said.
“I hope there will be a final resolution to this issue, and I look forward to the detail being revealed.”
Mr Scully also mentioned the Unanderra Access Group’s upcoming rally at the station on June 17.
“We would especially welcome the Premier or the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure given that the Premier has recently refused a request for the construction of the lift,” Mr Scully said.
