Transport for NSW will partner with Kempsey Shire Council for an exciting initiative which will transform the public transport hub around Kempsey Railway Station to help it become a more vibrant, safer and well-connected space for the local community and commuters.
Kempsey is one of seven pilot councils which will benefit from Transport's reVITALise – Public Transport Precinct Vibrancy Grant program, with each council receiving $1 million to design and deliver community-informed placemaking and vibrancy initiatives in public transport precincts in partnership with Transport for NSW.
Kempsey received the reVITALise grant and will be engaging with local community to seek feedback on the improvements they would like to see around the Kempsey Railway Station to help improve their travel experience.
Caro Szary, Group Manager Strategic and Asset Planning said this is a great opportunity to make a positive difference to this key transport hub, for the local community.
"It's incredibly important that people have access to active transport and public transport hubs that feel safe, vibrant and help them get to where they need to go as quickly as possible," Szary said.
The reVITALise grant program aims to help enliven people's everyday walk or wheel to and from public transport. Projects are to be delivered within a 500-metre radius of a transport hub precinct, which could include bus stops, interchanges, train stations, light rail stops, ferry wharves, cycleways and taxi or rideshare ranks.
Initiatives may include amenity and accessibility improvements for people when walking or cycling, such as seating and shade, lighting, landscaping, public art and murals, or supporting infrastructure such as bike racks or mobile phone charging stations. Kempsey is considering the pedestrian and bicycles access to the station, providing a road crossing and shading and some supporting infrastructure.
Brooke Wharton, Acting Executive Director Cities Revitalisation and Place at Transport for NSW said findings from placemaking initiatives in other transport hub precincts have demonstrated the benefit of place-specific solutions.
"The reVITALise Stanmore Station Parcels Office temporary activation in 2023 illustrated the benefit of public space activation, with more than 80 percent of survey respondents agreeing that the activation made Stanmore Station feel more vibrant, safe, and welcoming," Wharton said.
"Furthermore, the reVITALise Rainbow Tunnels project, also in 2023, demonstrated that art and creative lighting improve people's perceptions of safety and attachment to place, with over 90 percent of survey respondents agreeing that the lighting installations improved their experience."
"Transport looks forward to partnering with the seven pilot councils across NSW to deliver place-based solutions to create more active, safer and vibrant local areas."
Projects will be delivered by mid-2026. To stay up to date and get involved go to Your Say Macleay here: ksc.pub/revitalise-kempsey-railway-station.
