I support an efficient, city-wide, fixed-line mass transit network, such as our Light Rail.
Light rail is about more than public transport, though it must do that job well too. It is also about city-building. Densifying housing and services along a fixed-line mass-transit network has many benefits to a growing city. Done correctly, we can help improve housing affordability, access to services, walkability, employment choices, and so much more.
The question must not be whether we carry on building light rail, but how.
Twenty-five year vision for Light Rail
In October 2015, the ACT Government announced a plan to build a city-wide light rail network. They said this would take 25 years to build. In the 2016 election campaign, I supported stage 1 as the first part of this vision. I raised concerns that we weren’t yet talking enough about stage 2, but I was optimistic that would come. It is also reasonable to progress stage 1 far enough to be able to learn lessons to carry in to stage 2.
In the 2013/14 ACT Budget, money was first allocated for early design work for stage 1. Three years later in May 2016, the contract was signed. Three more years later, stage 1 was operational. Progress was good. We are now five years down the track from the completion of stage 1, with a projected nine more years until the completion of stage 2.
That’s ridiculous. Something has gone wrong.
Light Rail to the airport
Why don’t we already have Light Rail to the airport? It is an obvious stage that must happen. Politically it may not be the most convenient, but that’s an excuse of the major parties. Independents don’t need to sure up votes in other electorates.
I am not a city planner or public transport engineer. Nor am I privy to internal research, planning, and debates that decided where stage 2 should be. I may arrive at a different conclusion with that information. In the meantime, I renew my 2020 election calls to prioritise a Belconnen to the airport stage of light rail.
I would not interfere with any contracts or construction that is underway. I do want to see a more efficient approach moving forward.
Actions
- I will not impede a city-wide Light Rail rollout
- I will support efficient staging, with a view to what is best for Canberra, not where votes are needed.