Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group President Ben Johnston and Tim Fischer are not satisfied with the Tasmanian Government’s deficient assessment of Light Rail for Hobart. Picture: Andrea Fischer
In his very first public announcement following a three year posting as Australian Ambassador to the Holy See, former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer is calling on the Tasmanian Government to get serious about its pre-election commitment to test the feasibility of a Light Rail service, utilising the soon to be abandoned railway between Hobart and Brighton through Hobart’s Northern Suburbs.
The author of Trains Unlimited says “Hobart is in the obvious and enviable position to utilise an established rail link which parallels busy roads. National and international experience suggests restoring commuter rail services will also act as a catalyst for economic development and urban renewal around the stations. Powered from Tasmania’s bountiful renewable energy the rail vehicles would literally be zero emissions!”
Mr Fischer says “the feasibility study released last year by Tasmanian Greens Minister Nick McKim is riddled with poor assumptions including $3 per day parking in Hobart, exclusion of school student patronage, and even a failure to quantify Environmental Benefits!”. He adds, “excuses regarding the State’s finances are not plausible given the State’s recent Federal infrastructure submission seeking almost $1 Billion for road improvements and nothing for the parallel railway. Hobart’s population is also commensurate with other European cities which sustain clean, efficient, and vibrant light rail systems.”
With his Ambassador posting completed on Australia Day, Mr Fischer is keen to support the Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group and will guest speak at an event later this year at MONA – ideally situated beside the railway!
“Light/Heavy Rail operated properly is a win-win with not only energy efficiency but as an economic booster, it also helps boost the quality of urban life. Tasmania needs the HNSR this decade and Australia needs HSR no later than the end of the next decade, namely High Speed Rail Melbourne-Canberra-Sydney-Brisbane with indirect benefit for cross Bass Strait air traffic. Currently two thirds of Tullamarine and Mascot traffic relates to the proposed HSR corridor and so HSR will greatly help eliminate costly air traffic congestion delays for Tasmanians.” Mr Fischer added.
