Since January, the government has promised to install lifts at six stations, while Unanderra continues to wait.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward said one issue with Unanderra station is the cost of the project will be so high – at least $20 million.

He suggested that money could also fund several station upgrades elsewhere.

“The big problem with Unanderra,” Mr Ward said, “is that this is not just a standard lift shaft that you’re putting in.

“Because of the movement of so many services, you’re looking at a minimum spend of $20 million, which is a lot higher than you would expect.

“We only spent $36 million on the whole Shellharbour Junction railway station. So this would be an extraordinary outlay and if you’re spending that money at Unanderra there’s a lot of other stations that also have needs that may miss out – one station for so many others.”

Labor agrees with the project’s high cost – it has pledged to spend $25 million on lifts if elected in March.

Upgrades to other stations can be less expensive.

Last year’s budget included $133 million for upgrades under the Transport Access Program.

At the time, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that money would fund accessibility upgrades “to at least 11 more stations”.

Mr Ward said he would continue to raise the issue of installing lifts at Unanderra within government.

“As someone who is legally blind I don’t think it is fair that people with disabilities shouldn’t be able access public transport,” he said.