An independent report commissioned by the Glenorchy and Hobart City Councils has predicted a Light Rail link between Hobart and the Northern Suburbs would stimulate a long term construction bonanza with thousands of new jobs. 500 – 1,000 CONSTRUCTION JOBS plus 1,500 – 2,500 ONGOING JOBS

The recently released ‘Transport Corridor’ Report, by consultants GHD, says a Rapid Transit and Urban Renewal Project along the existing rail line, could provide between 500 to 1,000 construction jobs every year for two decades.

As well as the Light Rail construction work, the Report predicts around 35 hectares of new residential and commercial development as part of wider urban renewal through the corridor.

The consultants say Light Rail will “provide a number of businesses with access to state of the art commercial premises that will provide good links to employees and regional centres”. The independent report found a further 1,500 to 2,500 ongoing jobs could arise in tourism, retail and hospitality as a spin-off from the rail project.

Among the predicted precinct developments were new hotel and tourism developments at Berriedale, a big box development at Derwent Park and smaller scale retail and commercial developments in Moonah.

The Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group says the creation of new jobs and economic development sits well alongside all the other key benefits of the project. Its President Ben Johnston says “spending millions of dollars on new highways won’t solve growing traffic congestion in the northern suburbs and can’t match Light Rail’s potential for long term investment and job creation.”

Mr Johnston says “the State Government claims to be a champion of jobs and new investment and must surely be considering the new findings in what’s looking like an election year.” He’s called on the Premier to apply for Federal funding to get this long overdue project underway.

The Transport Corridor Report was supported by Glenorchy and Hobart City Councils and provided to the State Government.
Source:
http://www.hobartcity.com.au/files/1615ac59-8323-4ebe-92a3-a73200cd108d/3218083_REP_A_Glenorchy_to_Hobart_Transit_Corridor_Value_Capture.pdf

www.hobartrail.com

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 Johnston President, Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group