ACT transport minister Chris Steel says the division of the next stage of Canberra’s light rail line into two parts is appropriate considering the major differences in approvals needed for each section.
Steel said on July 5 the ACT Labor Government remained committed to extending light rail south to Woden, despite opting to split the approvals process for the extension into two discrete parts.
Extending south from the recently-opened Gungahlin-Civic light rail line, Light Rail Stage 2 will be split into Stage 2A, from Civic to Commonwealth Park, and Stage 2B, which will take it over Lake Burley Griffin, around Parliament House and through to Woden.
Steel said the ACT will lodge the separate plans for referral under the Commonwealth’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. He said progressing separate referrals through the EPBC process is appropriate “given the very different planning, heritage, and environmental considerations in different parts of the corridor”.
The ACT government has been going back and forth in negotiations with the National Capital Authority over a plan both sides can agree to for the part of the rail line now considered Stage 2B. Questions remain over the infrastructure which will be allowed near Parliament House, and whether a new bridge would need to be built or if the existing Commonwealth Avenue Bridge is suitable.
“The route passing through the Parliamentary Zone via State Circle East is included for assessment in a separate Commonwealth Park to Woden EPBC submission,” Steel said.
“It contains more complex considerations, such as the approach to Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and crossing the lake towards Parliament House. It is likely these matters will take longer to resolve with the Commonwealth.”
Meanwhile, it is hoped the division will allow the territory government to get on with at least Stage 2A of the project soon.
“We hope through this approvals process, we can get on with the first segment between the City and Commonwealth Park more quickly while we continue to work with the Commonwealth on the approval for remaining part of the route to Woden,” Steel said.
“With the completion of light rail stage one, we have the skills and expertise in the city that can transition to work on the next stage.”
Despite concerns from local groups over news of the split, Steel reiterated that the government remained committed to extending the route all the way to Woden.
“Light rail can help reduce congestion in our iconic national areas while bringing more people in to experience our national heritage and collections,” he said.