Creating safer connections to Austinmer Train Station

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Consultation has concluded

As part of Council’s commitment to improving road safety and transport connectivity, we're planning to make improvements around Austinmer Train Station so that your journey is a safer one.

Why are we doing this project?

This project is part of Transport for NSWs ‘Transport Integration and Placemaking’ program to improve access around selected train stations across our city. These improvements are aimed to make your journey to catch the train a safer one. 

What is being proposed?  

The draft concept designs include 

  • new raised pedestrian crossing at Moore Street close to Kirton Road 
  • A new raised pedestrian crossing at Railway Avenue close to Balfour Road 
  • Supporting lighting, path improvements and line marking.

Where is this project up to?

We began consultation with the community from August - September 2024 to welcome feedback on our proposed changes to Thirroul Station. This consultation has now concluded. 

Our Transport Team is now working through all that was heard throughout this project. You can still view the draft concept designs for this project and see what we have planned:

How will community feedback be used and what are the next steps?

In the first phase, we were asking for your feedback on our draft concept designs. We’re interested to hear your local knowledge and ideas.

In the second phase, we will check back in with the community to finalise the detailed designs and take any last comments before we start construction.

Construction is planned for 2025/2026 financial year as listed in our Infrastructure Delivery Program(External link).

Have questions?

You can give us a call on 4227 7111 to speak with the Engagement Team, or email engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au(External link) and we will get back to you.

Accessibility and language assistance

If you’re d/Deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech or language difficulty, you can contact us through the National Relay Service(External link)If you need an interpreter, you can contact us through the Translating and Interpreting Service(External link) on 131 450. You’ll need to provide our phone number 02 4227 7111 for either service.

Submissions become public documents and may be viewed by other persons on request. Please read Council’sPrivacy Notification(External link) before submitting your feedback.

As part of Council’s commitment to improving road safety and transport connectivity, we're planning to make improvements around Austinmer Train Station so that your journey is a safer one.

Why are we doing this project?

This project is part of Transport for NSWs ‘Transport Integration and Placemaking’ program to improve access around selected train stations across our city. These improvements are aimed to make your journey to catch the train a safer one. 

What is being proposed?  

The draft concept designs include 

  • new raised pedestrian crossing at Moore Street close to Kirton Road 
  • A new raised pedestrian crossing at Railway Avenue close to Balfour Road 
  • Supporting lighting, path improvements and line marking.

Where is this project up to?

We began consultation with the community from August - September 2024 to welcome feedback on our proposed changes to Thirroul Station. This consultation has now concluded. 

Our Transport Team is now working through all that was heard throughout this project. You can still view the draft concept designs for this project and see what we have planned:

How will community feedback be used and what are the next steps?

In the first phase, we were asking for your feedback on our draft concept designs. We’re interested to hear your local knowledge and ideas.

In the second phase, we will check back in with the community to finalise the detailed designs and take any last comments before we start construction.

Construction is planned for 2025/2026 financial year as listed in our Infrastructure Delivery Program(External link).

Have questions?

You can give us a call on 4227 7111 to speak with the Engagement Team, or email engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au(External link) and we will get back to you.

Accessibility and language assistance

If you’re d/Deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech or language difficulty, you can contact us through the National Relay Service(External link)If you need an interpreter, you can contact us through the Translating and Interpreting Service(External link) on 131 450. You’ll need to provide our phone number 02 4227 7111 for either service.

Submissions become public documents and may be viewed by other persons on request. Please read Council’sPrivacy Notification(External link) before submitting your feedback.

Consultation has concluded
  • Engagement Findings from Phase 1 - Update December 2024

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    11 Dec 2024

    About the project

    In Austinmer, the community was being asked to share their thoughts on two proposed raised pedestrian crossings, as well as supporting lighting, path improvements and line marking. The locations were:

    • Moore Street, close to Kirton Road
    • Railway Avenue, close to Balfour Road

    There were 32 submissions made in relation to the proposed raised pedestrians crossings at Moore Street / Kirton Road intersection, and Railway Avenue / Balfour Road intersection. One submission was made via email.

    Results

    Question 1: Do you agree that this plan will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists in Austinmer and lead to better access of the Train Station?


    Question 2: What do you think about the proposed location of the raised pedestrian crossings?

    Question 3: Would you consider changing your travel habits in the future to include more walking, cycling and/or public transport after seeing these proposed changes around Austinmer Train Station?

    Question 3.1: As you've said 'no', tell us why:

    The feedback in response to the question about changing travel habits around Austinmer Train Station included:

    • already live close to the station and frequently walk or use public transport
    • changes are not significant enough to warrant a change in habits
    • concerned for ongoing safety issues, particularly regarding the railway bridge and the lack of effective traffic calming measures.

    Question 4: If you have feedback on these proposed changes around Austinmer Train Station, please share it here

    The feedback on the proposed raised pedestrian crossings highlights both strong support and concerns. Many respondents are pleased with the prioritisation of pedestrian safety near Austinmer Station, with positive comments on improving accessibility, especially for those with mobility issues. However, several areas for improvement can be summarised under the following broad themes:

    • Lighting and safety
    • Narrow footpaths
    • Speed and traffic concerns
    • Location of crossings
    • Pedestrian, cycling and footpath issues
    • Noise and visual impact

    If you would like to understand the feedback in more detail, you can read the complete Engagement Report(External link) for this, and the 6 other train stations included in this project.

    Additional improvements

    Transport for NSW announced on the 11 October 2024 a suite of improvements to several train stations in the Illawarra as part of this program. For Austinmer station, Transport for NSW will be providing a new sheltered bicycle storage space at both entrances. You can read more about this by visiting the media release - Wheely easy access coming to Illawarra Train Stations as E-Scooter trial extension is confirmed | NSW Government(External link)

    Next Steps

    Council will now consider all the feedback provided by the community regarding the proposed changes to Austinmer Train Station.

    All feedback is important and is one factor in the decision-making process for Council.

    This project will have another phase of consultation where the community can participate in. the second phase, we will check back in with the community to finalise the detailed designs and take any last comments before we start construction.

    All previous participants and the broader community will be notified via the Our Wollongong website.