Rail Action Group President, Ben Johnston, said “Minister McKim is rapidly running out of time to leave a positive impression on Hobart’s public transport system.
Last year the Minister for Sustainable Transport, Nick McKim, made two announcements regarding the Hobart Rail project:
http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/media_room/media_releases/new_hope_for_hobart_light_rail
1. Commission DIER to produce a new business case for Commonwealth funding consideration early next (this) year; and
2. Establishment of a task force to put light rail at the heart of an integrated vision of urban and social renewal for Hobart and northern suburbs.
With the Federal Budget looming, the Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group is concerned the next Rail Business Case may again miss the deadline for Federal funding consideration. “We cannot possibly expect the Commonwealth to contribute to this exciting city shaping project when State or Local Government has not asked for one cent” said Mr Johnston.
“To my knowledge the promised task force, essential for engaging and aligning State Agencies and Local Government, has not even met! The rail project is a critical consideration for other Commonwealth funded projects such as Macquarie Point, and the KGV Precinct” said Mr Johnston.
DIER attended the Light Rail Roundtable at MONA in February and met transport and planning experts involved with successful Australian rail/transit business cases. Mr Johnston said “there is absolutely no excuse for not properly considering and including the wider socio-economic benefits in DIERs third attempt to build a business case for Hobart Rail”.
“The project will also provide much needed economic stimulus as developments and activity are drawn to the new rail stations. Integrating Rail with Park ‘n’ Ride and Feeder Buses will increase public transport patronage and therefore reduce recurrent subsidies to Metro Tasmania, reduce road maintenance costs, and negate $200m+ capacity upgrades for the Brooker Highway.” said Mr Johnston.
Mr Johnston said “In essence it is a no brainer and its time for action. Our car dependent city has an undervalued, underutilised, and soon to be abandoned railway just begging for passenger trains. Other Australian States would do anything to be blessed with such an infrastructure gift!”
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