The Canberra Liberals have won a commitment from all members of the Legislative Assembly for the completion of the Belconnen Busway before the election in 2028, Shadow Minister for Transport Mark Parton announced.
Mr Parton successfully moved a motion on Wednesday that will require the ACT Government to construct the busway between Belconnen and Civic in the next term of government, before 2027.
“After years of having to being dragged kicking and screaming to deliver any public transport solution that isn’t an overpriced and slow tram, it is great to finally have a commitment from this Labor-Greens Government for one of the most needed transport upgrades in Canberra,” Mr Parton said.
A petition calling for improved bus priority measures between Belconnen and Canberra City was tabled in the Assembly last sitting week, and all three parties voiced their support for such improvement, Mr Parton noted. Improvements to the Belconnen and Civic busway have been mooted since 2005, and national agencies identified the Belconnen to Civic busway as an infrastructure priority in 2016.
“Labor even tried to block this motion from even getting debated today, as they are more concerned about playing politics than delivering real solutions and positive outcomes for Canberrans,” Mr Parton said.
“The Canberra Liberals look forward to delivering this project during our first term in government following the 2024 election, and are excited to soon share our extensive transport policy with Canberrans.”
Greens MLA Jo Clay, her party’s spokeswoman for transport, welcomed the “important agreement” to deliver the Belconnen Busway project within five years.
“Belconnen deserves light rail from West Belconnen all the way to the City and beyond, and before we get that, we need practical upgrades to the Belconnen to City bus corridor and we need these in the coming years, not next decade,” Ms Clay said.
“I welcome ACT Labor bringing an offer that we could support. It’s a great step forward. We now have commitment to deliver these improvements next term. When I called for this back in September, we couldn’t get commitment, so it’s fantastic to see this progress.
“The feasibility study will happen, and it will inform the delivery of bus priority measures in the next term of Government. We can now get on with the job of funding this in the next budget and putting this project in the pipeline.
“I’m delighted Labor joined with the Greens to commit to the project and set real deadlines. I look forward to seeing the Belco busway soon, so that Belconnen bus users aren’t stuck in traffic.”
