Page 4381 - Week 12 - Thursday, 24 October 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
other forms of transport do not. Rail infrastructure contributes to increased productivity, which leads to economic growth and job creation. Stage 1 of light rail from Gungahlin to the city has created public-private partnerships and brought new skills and capability into the territory. Small and local businesses along the light rail corridor are benefiting as customers and patrons are able to come into town via light rail and do not have to worry about where they park.
Our ACT government is ensuring that we have the necessary infrastructure to capitalise on Canberra’s current opportunities in addressing emerging challenges as our city grows. It is incredibly important to ensure that our city grows and we are getting growth right. It is essential that, as we grow, we are being responsible and laying the foundations for the next generation and for a sustainable city.
Canberra is already using 100 per cent renewable electricity, which means that transport now represents the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, at 60 per cent. To achieve the ACT’s ambitious target of net zero emissions by 2045, there will need to be a community-wide shift to more environmentally friendly modes of transport and reduced use of private cars. Light rail is one example of how we will support this shift: the network will be fully powered by renewable electricity for fast, convenient and emission-free transport between the CBD and major town centres.
During the 2016 election campaign I passionately campaigned for light rail. As we all know, the Canberra Liberals promised not to build the light rail if they were successful in the election. Thankfully, our ACT Labor government delivered on our promise to deliver light rail, and it has transformed our region. It was wonderful to see our shadow minister for transport, Miss Candice Burch MLA, proudly posing with her MyWay at a light rail stop when it opened—after campaigning on a “no trams” platform. It is interesting to see that even the Canberra Liberals have come around to the benefits of light rail, even though they have been suspiciously quiet about their position. I suppose there is not a lot they can say, since Canberrans love the light rail.
Light rail has transformed the Gungahlin region and has improved the lives of Canberrans. Our ACT Labor government is committed to ensuring that the benefits are shared across Canberra and that we are laying the foundations for our growing and successful city.
MR STEEL (Murrumbidgee—Minister for Community Services and Facilities, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Transport and City Services) (4.02): I am delighted to be able to speak today about the importance of planning and committing to a city-wide light rail network across Canberra. We only have to look at the remarkable success of light rail stage 1 to understand the benefits that the rest of Canberra can expect when all of our town centres are linked by light rail.
Light rail is a valuable transport and planning tool that we are using to deliver infrastructure growth in a planned way. Right down Northbourne Avenue we are seeing an unprecedented construction boom, driven by light rail, and as the new tree canopy planted around the light rail starts to take shape the grand entrance to Canberra that has always been planned will finally exist.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video