Page 3713 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 29 October 2014
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Light rail is part of the wider reinvigoration of the transport network, providing a high-frequency and comfortable spine service between the city and Gungahlin. It will integrate with other transport options and contribute to a public transport network that puts people first. Light rail will help to support the ACT’s planning strategy by encouraging urban infill along the Northbourne corridor and offer a range of housing solutions in Gungahlin. 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 offering the greatest opportunities for new urban development.
While public transport patronage from Belconnen to the city and Woden to the city is high, neither Belconnen Way nor Adelaide Avenue yet provides similar levels of urban development opportunities as Northbourne Avenue. However, the transit lanes and bus lanes on those corridors can be considered for light rail in the future.
The capital metro project will also complement the city to the lake project in the future when it becomes 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. Capital metro will provide business and investment certainty, stimulating significant economic activity as land surrounding the light rail increases in value and is used more efficiently.
As a modern and attractive transport mode, light rail attracts more passengers out of cars than is typically achieved by buses. Up to 20 per cent of new light rail system patronage comes directly out of cars. Modern transport infrastructure, such as light rail, brings people together, connects them with their destinations, supports a more active lifestyle, reduces emissions and encourages people to explore and interact with the city without being in their car.
We want Canberra to be a smart and sustainable city that grows through more compact means, high-quality transport connections, more active lifestyles, and a revitalised city centre. It is not just the people who will ride the light rail who will benefit from capital metro. It also promises to benefit all Canberrans, with the economic activity generated along its route helping our economy thrive, the different lifestyles and the new developments offered there and the lessening of the dependence on private transport for people living along the corridor.
Investment in light rail will create over 3½ thousand new jobs during construction alone. Over the next 30 years the investment could generate 50,000 direct and indirect jobs for the territory. The Capital Metro Agency is developing a local industry participation policy to ensure local suppliers have the appropriate skills and capacity to be involved in the project.
Infrastructure investment can help ensure that local economies continue to thrive through difficult times. At a time when the territory is suffering from federal government cuts it is important that we make the right infrastructure investment that can create job, business and investment opportunities.
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