The ACT Government will stick to its preferred route for the second stage of the Canberra Metro light rail, despite the Commonwealth warning a lengthy and expensive approvals process awaits.
The second stage of Canberra Metro will take light rail from Civic to Woden, in the city’s south.
On its way it will pass through federal land and will need to comply with the National Capital Plan, designed to safeguard the character and heritage of the area around Parliament House in Canberra.
A report tabled by the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories urges the ACT Government to alter its preferred alignment to conform with the National Capital Plan.
The National Capital Plan would allow for public transport along Kings Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue and State Circle, but not into the Parliamentary Triangle.
In order to build its light rail line through the Triangle, the ACT Government would therefore have to work with the National Capital Authority to have the necessary changes made to the Plan.
Ben Morton, the MP chairing the Commonwealth committee, warned this would undoubtedly be an expensive and time-consuming process.
“The development of light rail must not come at the cost of the long-term character and heritage of the National Capital,” Morton said on October 22.
Morton, who represents the Division of Tangney in Western Australia, said the committee wasn’t out to slow or hinder the approvals process, but rather to provide certainty for the ACT Government and the people of Canberra.
“If the ACT Government were to use [alternative] routes the project could quickly and easily move forward through the other approval processes,” he said.
“However, should the ACT Government choose to pursue a route alignment that is only partially consistent with the National Capital Plan, this will unavoidably add further complexity, time, and cost to the project.”
ACT to stick to its guns
ACT transport minister Meegan Fitzharris said the Territory Government was prepared to engage with the National Capital Authority to get its preferred alignment green-lit.
“The planned route attracts more passengers, creates less impacts and provides critical connectivity for more national attractions, universities, residential areas and employment centres,” Fitzharris said.
She said roughly 75 percent of respondents surveyed throughout an extensive community consultation process preferred the alignment through Barton, rather than the alternatives suggested by the committee.
“The ACT Government is acutely aware of the national significance of many locations along the City to Woden route, particularly within the Parliamentary Zone.
“[The route] will support the revitalisation of suburbs along the corridor, and create more vibrant, community-focused, active and modern precincts. The Barton route also incorporates as many of the key employment hubs and national institutions as possible in the Parliamentary Triangle.”