Oatley Electorate Bus Services

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-169086

Hansard session: Fifty-Eighth Parliament, First Session (58-1)

Oatley Electorate Bus Services

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (20:10:27):

I speak again tonight about an important issue that has been affecting my community for some time now—that is, access to reliable and accessible bus services. For many people, a bus is not simply a way of getting from A to B. It is their connection to work, school, medical appointments, the shops, family and friends. For many of our seniors, reliable public transport is essential to maintaining their independence and staying connected to their community. That is why I am so determined to stand up for our community following changes to local bus services. Changes to routes, including to the 943, 944 and M91, have caused significant concern across Peakhurst, Peakhurst Heights, Riverwood and surrounding suburbs.

I have heard directly from residents who are frustrated and concerned about how they will get to the places they need to go. I have heard from seniors who rely on buses to attend medical appointments, the chemist or to do their shopping. I have heard from families and commuters who depend on reliable public transport every day. I have heard from residents at the retirement village in Peakhurst who were particularly concerned about the impact of the changes on their independence and connection to the wider community. Those concerns were not ignored.

We launched a community grassroots campaign calling for the restoration and improvement of local bus services. That campaign involved listening to residents, meeting with members of our community, making representations to the New South Wales Government and calling for action on the services people rely on every day. We also launched a petition, giving residents an opportunity to make their voices heard. I thank the more than 1,200 residents who supported our campaign. Their support has sent a clear message: Our community values its bus services and expects the Government to listen. I am pleased that our campaign has delivered some important wins.

In July I welcomed the announcement that the New South Wales Government had agreed to reintroduce a bus service connecting Peakhurst Heights to Riverwood and Roselands. That was a significant development and a significant win for residents who had been fighting to restore their public transport connections. But an announcement is not the same as a bus turning up at a bus stop. That is why I have continued to hold the Government to account. On 5 August I asked the Minister for Transport questions in this Parliament about the proposed service from Peakhurst Heights to Roselands via Riverwood station. I asked the Government to confirm the exact route, the frequency, the location of stops and when residents could expect the service to commence. I also asked whether the Government would consider changes to other services, including route 943, in response to community feedback.

The Government's response, received on 9 September, confirmed that Transport for NSW was still investigating opportunities to introduce the Peakhurst Heights to Roselands via Riverwood service. The Government did not provide a confirmed route, frequency, stop locations or implementation date. It also confirmed that it does not propose to reintroduce route 943 or make changes to route 949. That is simply not good enough. The Government cannot make an announcement and then not follow through with the details that people rely on to catch the new service. Residents deserve certainty. They deserve to know when services will commence, where they will travel, how frequently they will operate and whether they will properly meet the needs of the community. That is why I will continue to demand that the details be made public and that the Government deliver on its commitments.

I particularly acknowledge the residents, seniors and many community members who have taken the time to contact my office, sign our petition, attend meetings and share their experiences. Their advocacy has made a big difference. The restoration of a connection between Peakhurst Heights and Riverwood is an important win, but our work does not end with those announcements. Earlier today I submitted a notice of motion calling on the New South Wales Government to urgently restore the 943 and M91 bus routes. Residents rely on those routes each and every day, and I am committed to continue to fight on behalf of my community to have them restored. Whether it is Peakhurst Heights, Peakhurst, Riverwood, Mortdale, Oatley, Lugarno, Connells Point or surrounding suburbs, I will continue to stand up for the services that our community relies on. Our community deserves a public transport system that works for them. As a strong local voice, I will continue to make sure our local residents feel heard.

The House adjourned, pursuant to standing and sessional orders, at 20:15 until Wednesday 23 September 2026 at 10:00.