Page 2943 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 14 August 2019

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We had a chance to do something pretty straightforward today, something that has been in place for more than six months already. It is not a brand-new concept. It is a real opportunity to deliver a real and tangible result for the people of Tuggeranong. But the Greens have sunk that opportunity and supported the Labor amendment. It is bitterly disappointing that we could not have had some common sense prevail today in the Assembly.

I will look forward to Mr Steel’s update and his allusion to the fact that he could progress things more quickly. The people of Tuggeranong would love for that to be the case. But I am sure that, like me—because I am a resident of Tuggeranong—they are bemused as to why we could not get a commitment, a definite answer, a decision today that “Yes, we’re going to do the work to take the buses off Anketell Street forever. Yes, we are.” How simple would that have been? Apparently, though, it is too hard for this Labor-Greens government.

Ms Lawder’s amendment to Mr Steel’s proposed amendment agreed to.

Mr Steel’s amendment, as amended, agreed to.

Original question, as amended, resolved in the affirmative.

Light rail—extension of service

MR PETTERSSON (Yerrabi) (5.17): I move:

That this Assembly:

(1) notes the popularity of Stage 1 of the light rail since it opened in April, including:

(a) 20 per cent of all boardings across the entire public transport network are now on a light rail service;

(b) public transport journeys starting in Gungahlin have increased 32 per cent compared to the same period last year;

(d) since the commencement of services, 15,125 passengers on average per day have used light rail. The estimated daily light rail patronage in the Light Rail Stage 1 business case was 15,120 per day in 2021; and

(e) the early success has led Canberra Metro to putting on an additional service on the morning and evening peaks, together with two extra services for students in the afternoon peak;

(2) notes that, due to the success of light rail, services are nearing capacity in peak periods; and

(3) calls on the government to work with Canberra Metro to explore the possibility of increasing services during the peak periods.

Since opening in April, the first stage of light rail has been a resounding success. Light rail is transforming Canberra’s transport system to that of one suitable for a

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