An environmental report for the $100-million Redfern train station revamp has been released. It shows construction of the upgrade will start late this year or early 2021 and is due to be completed by mid-2022. The project involves major changes to the southern concourse, including the construction of a six-metre wide walkway linking the east and west sides of the station.

To ensure Redfern station — one of Sydney’s busiest — meets accessibility requirements, new lifts and stairs will be built so that passengers will have easy access to platforms one to 10. As well, a new entrance will be constructed at Little Eveleigh Street and the Marian Street entrance will be upgraded. The aim of the project is to ensure Redfern station will be able to cope with a growing number of commuters in the coming years.

Around 70,000 people currently use the station each day. But with the nearby TNT building being converted into residential units, a 24-storey tower earmarked for student accommodation being built at The Block — not to mention the 10,000 Commonwealth Bank employees commuting to their new Eveleigh headquarters —  government forecasts suggest station foot traffic will increase to about 100,000 by 2036.

According to Transport NSW, the project “aims to provide a station precinct that is accessible to those with a disability, limited mobility, parents/carers with prams, and customers with luggage”. The upgrade will also “improve connections between the station and key destinations in the area”. However, the plans for the
southern concourse have drawn fierce criticism from residents who fear Little Eveleigh and Marian streets will become choked with commuters.