The Unions Shoalhaven sponsored petition called for the upgrade and electrification of the rail line from Kiama to Bomaderry and it was massively supported.

The petition, with over 10 000 signatures on it, was collated over the last few months.

The petition was tabled by the NSW Opposition Spokesperson for Transport, Jodi McKay with support from the member for Wollongong, Paul Scully.

Unions Shoalhaven Vice President, Tim Montgomery, said after decades of neglect, it was high time that the funding for this significant and vital project was guaranteed and supported by all levels of government.

“The petition was designed to draw attention to the totally inadequate rail service to the Shoalhaven and beyond,” Mr Montgomery said.

“Having to change trains at Kiama makes it difficult for South Coast residents to access a whole range of services that are unavailable locally.

“A faster and more reliable trip would benefit all, including tourists as our economy largely depends on tourism.”

State member for the South Coast Shelley Hancock said the matter should be called out for what it’s - a cheap political stunt.

“I have always been, and always will be an advocate for improved rail services for the South Coast,” Mrs Hancock said.

“However,  let’s call this out for what it is - a cheap political stunt, political posturing and bluster with no real action and no commitment or plan to improve the service.”

Mrs Hancock said the State Government has invested millions into the line.

The NSW Government has committed $40 million to upgrade 13 kilometres of the South Coast rail line between Berry and Bomaderry, introduced a new fleet of intercity trains to service the South Coast, increased the number of carriages on the 3.24pm and 3.54pm weekday services, introduced additional bus services between Kiama and Bomaderry, and the South Coast line has been earmarked in the NSW Government’s Future Transport 2056 draft strategy over the coming 10 years for investigations into flattening grades, straightening curves and electrifying the rail line between Bomaderry and Kiama within 10 to 20 years.

Mrs Hancock said there were better ways to move forward.

She suggested meeting her, the Minister for Transport or transport officials would have been better than engaging in a political stunt.

Co-Vice President of Union Shoalhaven, Carmel McCallum, who was in parliament when the petition was tabled, maintains the community deserves a better rail service and their action was not a political stunt.

“Many residents don’t own a vehicle, so they have no choice but to depend on the train for transport”, Mrs McCallum said.

“The lack of decent public transport has held the Shoalhaven back and has been the main contributor to one of the highest youth unemployment figures in Australia, with many depending on the train to access educational opportunities.

“With an ageing population, access to medical services is also a major issue in the Shoalhaven and for people further south.

“It’s time to bring the railway line into the twenty-first century, eliminating a change at Kiama.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Mrs Hancock also refuted a claim that the Member for the South Coast showed disregard for the petition and walked out of the house when it was tabled.

“Shelley left the chair as she had a long-standing commitment to meet with the Department of Premier and Cabinet to discuss Country University Centres, an initiative Shelley is lobbying to secure for the South Coast which provides education and improves job opportunities for local youth,” the spokesperson said.

Mrs Hancock said she would be willing to meet with the Unions Shoalhaven representatives.