Page 394 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 10 February 2021
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Mr Coe: Point of order. Just for clarification, the first part of the question was about work that has already been done to assess the damage and any rectification work that has already taken place, as opposed to prospective work. Take it on notice.
MADAM SPEAKER: I think Mr Coe was clarifying what you are taking on notice, Ms Berry.
MS BERRY: Yes.
Light rail—stage 2A
DR PATERSON: My question is to the Minister for Transport and City Services. Minister, can you please outline what this government is doing to progress light rail?
MR STEEL: I thank Dr Paterson for her question. It certainly comes at a very exciting time for the light rail project. In the ACT budget yesterday, the ACT government delivered on what we said we would do at the election. We are investing in the infrastructure needed to build a better public transport system by extending the light rail line to Woden.
In the budget, we delivered the funding needed to get on with the design to raise London Circuit. This is changing the current overpass-underpass configuration of the road to create an upgraded intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and London Circuit to support the light rail stage 2A tracks transitioning onto the road and providing improved pedestrian and cycle connections in the southern part of the CBD. We have also committed funding for a feasibility study to investigate the extension of light rail through to Mawson and to assess peak express services, which was part of the parliamentary and governing agreement.
Members would also be aware that the commonwealth government last week provided environmental approval for light rail stage 2A, from the city to Commonwealth Park—a very welcome sign of support for this project from the commonwealth. We are getting on with the detailed design work for stage 2A and we will soon seek formal works approval from the National Capital Authority, and subsequently through the ACT planning and land authority.
The light rail stop in Mitchell is under construction as well, immediately south of the Sandford Street intersection with Flemington Road. The first works were commenced by Canberra Metro on 6 December last year. The new stop is expected to become operational in the second half of this year. We are also continuing to progress the important design and environmental work on light rail stage 2B, from Commonwealth Park to Woden. We are working with the National Capital Authority to ensure that their recently announced Commonwealth Avenue Bridge project is complementary. We are identifying opportunities to minimise disruption. (Time expired.)
DR PATERSON: Minister, could you please detail what the benefits of stage 2A are?
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