$100 million for Hobart light rail

A 10-minute, $3 a ride commuter trip by light rail from Hobart to Glenorchy will be a reality after the Federal Election with the Greens committing $100 Million to the project.

Candidate for Denison Anna Reynolds made the commitment as part of the Greens’ national plans to re-prioritise Nation Building funding from roads to rail.

“After years of waiting for someone to say they will fund the Hobart light rail project, the Greens are the only party going into this federal election that have made this commitment. We have sought costings for the project from the Parliamentary Budget Office and factored the cost of the project into our national election platform.”

“Light rail in Hobart will reduce traffic congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, and make our major city more liveable. It will also reduce the cost of living for many households in Hobart who have few others option than to run a car or second car. ” Ms Reynolds said.

Funds will come from a national re-prioritisation of the $24 Billion, five year Nation Building Fund. Rather than 20% of the funds going to passenger rail, the Greens plan will increase this to 30%.

“The Greens recognise and support the importance of ongoing funding initiatives to address road safety. We support funding for regional road upgrades, and expenditure under the Roads to Recovery program which assists councils to maintain local roads.”

“We also recognise that the federal government needs to shift some of the money spent on roads to passenger rail.

“Light rail is the way of the future. Our recent roundtables have shown it has support from business, councils and others,” Ms Reynolds said.

“Tasmania cannot afford to be left behind by continuing to pour money into roadways rather than more cost effective, equitable, sustainable and healthy options.

“Both Labor and Liberal parties maintain strong ties with road and truck industry lobby groups. There can be no other logical explanation for their lack of support for healthier, more sustainable options.”
Anna Reynolds, Greens Candidate for Denison