Light rail … a la Houston …
The Mayors of Hobart and Glenorchy have again personally called for the Hobart Light Rail Project to be considered a strategic infrastructure priority ahead of Friday’s public lecture by internationally renowned Professor Peter Newman.
The Mayors are jointly hosting the public lecture titled “Will Hobart ever do Light Rail: A Global Context” where Prof Newman will present the compelling case and lay down a challenge to all levels of government to deliver on this project.
Glenorchy Mayor, Alderman Kristie Johnston, said she personally believed “the rail project would be the catalyst for real economic development, employment growth, improved social and community well-being and sustainability that is greatly needed in Glenorchy”.
Mayor Johnston said “the new Prime Minister, Malcom Turnbull, has recognised the strategic importance of investment in public transport infrastructure, and now is the time for Southern Tasmania to put its case forward for investment in this cost effective public transport project.
The Hobart–Brighton railway is a very obvious choice to revolutionise our transport system. This asset is sitting idle and we would be foolish not to utilise it”.
Hobart Lord Mayor, Alderman Sue Hickey, said “terminating rail freight services at Brighton has put further pressure on the Brooker Highway and Main Road is also congested. I personally believe a modern city needs a modern transport system and people need alternatives.”
Prof Newman’s latest book The End of Automobile Dependence , co-authored with Jeff Kenworthy, is the third in the trilogy on automobile dependence and like all good trilogies is about the rise and decline of an empire. The book illustrates how the decline of the automobile empire is a hopeful development, and explains how cities can achieve the most productive and sustainable outcomes during this time of fundamental change.
Event Details:
Will Hobart ever do Light Rail? A Global Context
Hobart Town Hall, Friday 9 October, 6:00 pm – 7:30pm
RSVP or enquiries to Jan Dunsby: [email protected] 0419 328 469
www.facebook.com/HobartRail
The Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group Inc. was formed to facilitate the establishment of a passenger rail service as the centrepiece of an integrated transport network and preservation of the rail corridor between Hobart and Brighton for rail services
• Ben Cannon in Comments: If the government pandered to David Walsh the way it does to the Farrells, he’d already have a virtually free lease of the rail corridor, state and federal funds to maintain it and a hefty gambling income to bankroll its development.
• Andrew Wilkie: It’s time – beyond time – for light rail in Hobart …
The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, will join the Hobart Northern Suburbs Railway action group, and the Mayors of Hobart and Glenorchy, at a public lecture tonight to once again call for the restoration of passenger rail in the greater Hobart area.
WHAT: Public lecture by Professor Peter Newman AO, Will Hobart Ever Do Light Rail? A Global Context
WHERE: Town Hall, 50 Macquarie Street HOBART
WHEN: TONIGHT 9 October 6:00pm
“A northern suburbs light rail between Hobart and Bridgewater would be a cost-effective, efficient and environmentally friendly way to address Hobart’s transport problems,” Mr Wilkie said.
“It would ease the pressure on the road network and make getting to work, school and health services easier and cheaper for thousands of Tasmanians.
“But despite all of the merits of this proposal, we’ve seen nothing from a succession of State Governments except talk and hollow rhetoric. And the current Liberal State Government appears to have abandoned the idea altogether.
“I once again call on the State Government to listen to experts like Professor Newman as well as the community and submit a funding proposal to Canberra.
“This is now more important than ever seeing as new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has expressed a strong personal interest in rail and making cities more liveable.”
A northern suburbs light rail would feature modern electric vehicles on the existing rail corridor between Hobart and Bridgewater. Travel time between Hobart and Bridgewater would be less than 30 minutes by express service.
• mr t in Comments: Yet the Liberal Party will spruik an inci-weeni-teeni-weeni cable car up a mountain as a project of State significance and great cost. Maybe we could build a cable car rather than light rail? PS What are the solutions for the Kingborough area and the Eastern Shore?
