The NSW Government is investing $10 million to make it safer and easier to walk and ride to 11 Illawarra stations.
The planned initiatives will include things like footpath upgrades, better lighting, new bicycle storage around stations for people who choose to walk or cycle to and from their homes and to other modes of transport.
More than $3 million of the investment will be used to build a two-way shared cycleway at Corrimal, which would stretch nearly one kilometre along Murray Road between Corrimal Station and Cawley Street. Corrimal will also see a new pedestrian refuge installed and additional bicycle racks outside the station.
Other stations to benefit from proposed upgrades include:
- Helensburgh will see existing bicycle storage upgraded and bicycle racks replaced, a footpath upgrade and new lighting. Footpaths will also be improved between the station and nearby bus stop, with a new refuge crossing installed across Lawrence Hargrave Drive between school and railway station.
- Stanwell Park will see new lighting and CCTV installed and footpaths upgraded.
- Scarborough will see including a new pedestrian refuge across Lawrence Hargrave Drive between the station and nearby school, improved footpath access between the station and bus stop and improvements to station stairs.
- Coledale will see stairs replaced with a ramp.
- Austinmer will see two pedestrian refuge crossings installed across nearby streets and a new sheltered bicycle storage space at both station entrances.
- Thirroul will see existing bicycle storage upgraded and bicycle racks replaced, a footpath upgrade and new lighting. The nearby bus stop will be improved so vehicles can overtake waiting buses.
- Bulli will see new sheltered bicycle storage installed, existing bicycle racks upgraded and more lighting.
- North Wollongong will see a new secure bicycle shed with CCTV installed.
- Coniston will see sheltered bicycle storage installed, new lighting and upgraded footpaths. Design work is also underway to make Coniston fully accessible.
- Dapto will see new sheltered bicycle stalling installed.
Twenty-eight projects have been identified and prioritised following extensive consultation with the community and other stakeholders.
Further consultation will take place with the community as the projects progress, with all of them expected to be completed between early next year and the first half of 2026.
The Transport Integration and Placemaking projects are being delivered through Transport for NSW's Rail Service Improvement Program, in partnership with Wollongong City Council and Sydney Trains.
This announcement comes as Transport for NSW has approved an extension of Wollongong City Council's shared e-scooter trial until 30 June 2025.
In the first 12 months of the trial with operator Neuron Mobility, 165,000 e-scooter trips were taken in the Wollongong local government area - with riders collectively clocking up over 316,000 kilometres, enough to ride around Australia over 20 times.
In addition to extending its trial, the council is also exploring options to expand the trial footprint, to support more people riding shared e-scooters to reach their destinations.
Quotes attributable to Transport Minister Jo Haylen MP:
"This is an exciting and incredibly important investment for the people of Wollongong.
"Given there are 25 train stations in the Wollongong Local Government area, there is a growing need to ensure pedestrians and cyclists can connect to these public transport hubs as safely and easily as possible.
"Sheltered bicycle storage, new refuge crossings and street lighting with CCTV are just some of the many projects we will be rolling out to support the community.
"We know people in the Illawarra love active transport, so making it easier for people to make the most of these last mile connections is essential.
"Extending the Wollongong e-scooter trial until June next year is a big added bonus too.
"All of these small but meaningful investments dotted along the coast will make neighborhoods across the Illawarra better connected."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park MP:
"It's not every day that 11 trains stations receive much needed upgrades, but that's exactly what is happening here in the Illawarra.
"These small and important investments will make it so much easier for families to access their station, and safely lock their bike up there for the day.
"Upgrades to lighting, footpaths and crossings will also go a long way to improving the overall safety and access for commuters and tourists alike."
Quotes attributable to the Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully MP:
"I've said before Wollongong is the best city in the world to ride a bike, now it's the best place to ride an e-scooter.
I am pleased that council is also exploring expanding the eScooter trial zone to potentially include Port Kembla and that's really exciting.
"The upgrades to stations and improved connections to Corrimal Station will make for a better public transport experience for current and future residents."
Quotes attributable to the Member for Shellharbour, Anna Watson MP:
"After its recent accessibility upgrade, it's exciting to see Dapto Station is once again receiving welcome investment from the Minns Labor Government. The new sheltered bike racks are a big win for our community and will make it easier to ride to the station, for those who want to."
Quotes attributable to the Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart MP:
"Lawrence Hargrave Drive is the main artery connecting the villages along the coast. As a result, it's incredibly busy and a challenge for pedestrians to cross. I really welcome the new pedestrian refuges that will make it safer for people to cross the road, as well as the other investments being made for our local stations.
"Works being undertaken at our train stations and roadways are crucial after they were neglected by the former Liberal National State government. The upgrades at Austinmer in particular, are changes I have campaigned on, I am thrilled the Minns Labor Government will be delivering these upgrades!"
Quotes attributable to the Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Tania Brown:
"Projects like these upgrades to Murray Road, and other locations around Wollongong, will assist people to comfortably and safely walk, roll, cycle or scoot to and from train stations that link our city.
"We welcome the grant funding from the NSW Government and will continue to look for ways to collaborate with Transport for NSW to improve the public and active transport system across Wollongong.
"We're pleased to see an extension of the trial to 30 June 2025 to allow Council to work with Transport for NSW to continue to learn about e-scooter use and the further opportunities the shared scheme offers to support e-micromobility across Wollongong."
