Page 2496 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 13 August 2014
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The Productivity Commission report does not state that its triple bottom line analysis was performed before a benefit-cost ratio was produced for light rail in Canberra. The report fails to acknowledge the implementation of the government’s capital framework; therefore it inaccurately refers to the ACT’s infrastructure assessment framework. So, overall, the Productivity Commission relied on outdated information and an outdated framework.
Second, the Nairn report: a report commissioned by the Liberal Party. It uses incorrect cost assumptions and is based on capital expenditure estimate on two divided tracks—we have already heard about this—rather than an alignment on the central median strip that we are looking at. Mr Nairn acknowledged that a central alignment of capital metro would result in significant savings. This is the direction already being studied by capital metro, and it was the subject of the recent public consultation period.
The cost savings of a central alignment would have made a positive impact on Mr Nairn’s calculation of the benefit-cost ratio. Mr Nairn’s report also excludes a range of benefits resulting from urban densification, including more efficient delivery of utilities, health, education, waste collection and other services. Light rail will improve our transport options. The capital metro project will provide our city with an attractive, integrated and modern form of public transport providing people with a real alternative to the car that can ease congestion and reduce pollution as our population grows.
Light rail will reinvigorate the wider transport network by providing a high frequency and highly attractive spine service between the city and Gungahlin. A detailed study is underway to ensure that capital metro integrates effectively with other modes of transport and contributes to a public network that puts people first. Light rail will support urban infill. Capital metro is helping to support the ACT’s planning strategy by encouraging urban infill along the Northbourne corridor and offering a range of housing needs in Gungahlin. Capital metro is a catalyst for development along the Gungahlin to city corridor.
The transport for Canberra’s public transport corridors link the city to all the town centres. Amongst these links, the Gungahlin corridor has been experiencing both the highest growth rate as well as presenting the greatest transformational opportunities for urban development. While public transport patronage from Belconnen to the city and Woden to the city are high, neither Belconnen Way nor Adelaide Avenue provide similar levels of urban development opportunities as Northbourne Avenue. Transit lanes and bus lanes have been provided on these corridors for future consideration for light rail.
The capital metro project is complementary to the city to the lake project. The city to the lake project is one of Australia’s largest urban renewal projects. It is a transformational project within Canberra’s city plan that builds on Walter Burley Griffin’s enlightened foundations. It is a long-term and visionary project that will guide public and private investment in Canberra’s second century.
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