Economy
Green light for light rail
Light rail campaigners Anna Reynolds and Dr Bob Brown welcome the release of the business case for a light rail project that Sustainable Transport Minister Nick McKim can take to Infrastructure Australia for funding.
“I believe that cheap, reliable public transport between the city and northern suburbs is essential for social equity in our city”, said Greens candidate for Denison, Anna Reynolds.
“What the light rail project needs more than anything right now is momentum. While this business case has its limits, if it gets the project on the books for federal funding, then that’s progress”, she said.
“Running from Hobart to Glenorchy with one stop in between is shorter than we wanted, but it’s a Stage One proposal that can be extended”, she said.
Dr Brown looks forward to the fast-tracking of a light rail network that can transform greater Hobart.
“It’s great news that the Minister for Sustainable Transport says the Government will back this proposal as the first stage of a longer passenger rail line through to Brighton”, he said.
“This is the green light we have all been waiting for. I have no doubt other stations will fall into place as the project becomes a reality”, Dr Brown said.
Ms Reynolds and Dr Brown said that at around $70 million, it’s considerably cheaper than a one-off $200 million upgrade of some intersections on the Brooker Highway. Importantly, the business case is based on a combined feeder bus and light rail proposal, that depends on improved bus services from Bridgewater, Claremont, Chigwell, Gagebrook, Old Beach and other areas to deliver people to the train stations.
They also raised concern about key elements left out of this report: the benefits for health, social inclusion, tourism, infrastructure costs, and business travel have not yet been quantified.
In addition, the two State Labor Ministers responsible for infrastructure and planning have not joined the taskforce to push the light rail proposal forward.
Ms Reynolds and Dr Brown are convening the second Rail Roundtable on Friday 14 June which they hope will help to solidify community and business sector support behind the project. The ACT Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Shane Rattenbury, MLA will brief the meeting on the Canberra Light Rail project. Tasmania’s Sustainable Transport Minister, Nick McKim, will also be speaking.
Organisations or businesses interested in attending the roundtable are welcome to register their interest with Anna Reynolds at anna.reynolds@tas.greens.org.au