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Affordable Public Transport for Hawkesbury

Mental Health, Christmas Cheer, School vouchers, ambitious housing targets, Veterans Centre

Hawkesbury locals enjoy the serenity and the distance they have from metropolitan areas. Let’s face it, why wouldn’t you want to live here where there is room to move, raise a family, work on the land or retire in tranquillity?

It’s the travel sometimes that can be a disadvantage. So when the Sydney Metro North West opened, I was interested to see how well it might be received by Hawkesbury residents. I mean it’s not as if it’s on our doorstep, but it’s almost in our backyard, isn’t it?

So, I think we need to provide an efficient way for Hawkesbury commuters to access this rail link because I know they love travelling on the Metro.

Currently, you need to arrive at Tallawong or Rouse Hill Stations before 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, if you wish to park your car within close proximity to the station. I don’t think that’s good enough.

In my Inaugural Speech, I spoke about the opportunity for ‘park and ride’ access to the Metro. By that, I mean, commuters drive to a large carpark destination and a bus would be waiting to take them straight to and from Tallawong Station.

The reason why I haven’t pursued this is because we were inflicted with a drought, the Black Summer bushfires of 2019/2020, eight floods in four and a half years, and who could forget, the pandemic. So my focus has been on looking after Hawkesbury as we recovered from these devastating times.

Fast forward to 2024 and I think the opportunity is ripe to advocate for better access to public transport for Hawkesbury locals wanting to travel to the Metro Station.

I spoke with the Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen MP, about this matter and will put forward several proposed solutions that will get cars off the road and people enjoying public transport. Buses on demand is another plausible option.

Public transport is a much more affordable option when commuting to work, medical appointments, to school or for recreational purposes. I’m sure with the cost-ofliving pressures we are experiencing right now, any savings in weekly travel expenses would be welcomed.

Identifying suitable ‘park and ride’ locations could be determined through a review of local council or state government parking facilities, already existing in Hawkesbury, that may adjoin sporting fields, community halls or even partnering with clubs and retail outlets that already have carparks established. Let’s find a way to do this, Hawkesbury!

Robyn Preston

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