Page 3628 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 27 October 2015
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MR CORBELL: I thank Mr Coe for the question. The government does not specify a preferred technology. There are a number of technological responses to the wire-free operation of light rail vehicles. It will be for the two short-listed bidding consortia to outline their technical solution, and we will assess those along with all the other matters that will be assessed rigorously through the assessment process now underway.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Minister, would it be unaffordable to run trams from Gungahlin to the city without overhead wires?
MR CORBELL: The government has not mandated wire-free technology as a requirement for bids for the base case project—that is, Gungahlin town centre to Alinga Street—but, clearly, if consortia put forward those proposals they will be appropriately assessed.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Minister, what is the cost of the city to Russell light rail extension?
MR CORBELL: I refer Mr Wall to my previous answers on this question. I can only reiterate what I have previously said in this place, which is that the bidding process is being utilised to gain a robust market assessment of the cost of Alinga Street to Russell. We are still in the assessment process of those costs and making sure that they are rigorously tested by the Capital Metro Agency, and we will disclose that cost once we have completed that process and made a decision as to whether or not to proceed with the Russell extension.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Minister, what is the government’s threshold amount for what is the most it is willing to pay for the extension to Russell?
MR CORBELL: I refer Mr Wall to my previous answer.
Transport—light rail
DR BOURKE: My question is to the Minister for Planning. Minister, yesterday you released details of a light rail network. Could you please outline to the Assembly how that plan has been developed and what are the key features of the proposed plan?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Dr Bourke for his question. The government is investing in Canberra’s future by delivering leading infrastructure to meet the challenges of a growing city. Canberra’s population is expected to increase to over 500,000 people in the next two decades. With the highest car dependency of any Australian capital city, our growing population will mean more cars on our roads and more congestion.
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