ACT Green and Canberra Liberal MLAs have expressed concern that light rail to Woden might be delayed for as long as a decade – but the ACT Government says everything is on track.
Green MLA Jo Clay, spokesperson for transport, said questioning in Budget Estimates Hearings today revealed that light rail Stage Two – first promised as part of the 2016 Parliamentary Agreement between Labor and Greens – was delayed, and that the ACT Government intended to deliver one stage of light rail per decade.
“I’m concerned that light rail to Woden won’t be delivered until 2030, and Belconnen won’t get light rail until after that,” Ms Clay said. “We’ve heard about many delays in Estimates today, and no firm end dates.”
Pre-feasibility work for Stages Three and Four, expected to be completed last year, has been delayed until 2023, Ms Clay said.
Similarly, Liberal MLA Mark Parton, shadow minister for transport, said that Chris Steel, ACT Minister for Transport and City Services, was unable to tell him when the light rail to Woden will be completed.
Mr Parton asked: “When the first light rail vehicle rolls into Woden, will it still be legal to buy a new petrol-powered car on Melrose Drive? (That ban is flagged for 2035)”.
Mr Parton said Mr Steel could not indicate exactly when Stage 2A of the project to Commonwealth Park would be delivered, or the likely final cost of Stage Two in its entirety.
“The tram to Woden was announced nearly seven years ago, and the Labor-Greens government seemingly has no idea when it will be delivered or what it will cost,” Mr Parton said.
“It is ludicrous to believe that the Transport Minister isn’t working on an estimated completion date behind closed doors.
“Canberrans should be deeply concerned about why the Minister refuses to reveal those details to the wider public.
“The Labor-Greens Government endorsed the flawed business case for Stage 2A in 2019, three years ago, and have recently awarded a contract for the raising of London Circuit, but still can’t answer when it will be delivered.
- Light rail stage 2A business case will not be revised (8 June)
- Auditor-General: Light rail 2A will cost more than government claims (Sept 2021)
“The ACT Government has glossy pictures, headlines and election commitments on the tram, but no delivery date or cost estimate. not even an approximately planning date that is to be revised with detailed planning.
“After many years and well-defined election commitments, Canberrans deserve better than the nothingness that the Labor-Greens Government is giving them.”
Mr Steel said: “It’s disappointing the ACT Greens are choosing to play politics on light rail and zero emissions buses. They know that light rail Stage Two is on track…
“Construction is about to begin on the raising of London Circuit, and the first time-critical contract has been signed for Stage 2A with new light rail vehicles, depot expansion and the retrofitting of batteries on the existing fleet, showing significant progress on Light Rail to Woden.
“The next milestone is the submission of the works approval application for Stage 2A to be lodged later this year which is on track.”
- Contract for light rail vehicles awarded (9 August)
- New wrap hits the tracks, Steel urges pedestrians to take responsibility (8 August)
- Technology and traffic control will ease light rail disruption, government claims (22 March)
- Business roundtables and public survey for light rail disruption (15 November 2021)
- ACT Government must have light rail contingency plans: Parton (10 November 2021)
- New roundabout to minimise light rail traffic disruption (11 October 2021)
- Auditor-General: Light rail 2A will cost more than government claims (24 September 2021)
- Liberals and Business Chamber concerns over light rail works (21 July 2021)
- Tenders open for light rail to Woden (2 June 2021)
Ms Clay also said there were delays to the delivery of public transport infrastructure, including electric buses. The Woden Bus Depot was first promised in 2016, but, Public Transport Canberra noted in its budget submission, the 2021-22 budget re-profiled over $26 million in transport-related capital works, including the new Woden bus depot for the fifth year in a row.
“If we are serious about reducing traffic congestion, reducing climate emissions and making Canberra a more liveable city, we must deliver these major public transport projects on time and without multi-year delays,” Ms Clay said.
“We need electric buses, hourly weekend suburban services and a return to the normal timetable as soon as possible.”
Mr Steel said that the electric bus fleet was being rolled out. The ACT’s first 12 electric buses will be delivered this year to be housed at Tuggeranong and Belconnen, and a further 90 electric buses will be ordered.
“We hope the Greens support the delivery of the Government’s priority infrastructure this decade from new hospitals, schools and light rail Stage Two – rather than searching for cheap headlines.”
