The second stage of light rail in Canberra will likely not travel through the Parliamentary Triangle, after the Coalition agreed to all six recommendations made late last year by the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories.
With Canberra Metro’s first stage set to open in April, work is continuing towards the start of construction on stage two of the network, to connect Civic, at the city’s centre, to Woden, in the south.
The ACT Government has said it would like to see the route travel through the Parliamentary Triangle – including past Old Parliament House – but requires federal approval for any such construction through federally controlled land.
A Joint Standing Committee inquiry into the issue in October recommended the ACT instead stick to the previously outlined National Capital Plan for public transport, which would limit the route to State Circle, and bar it from the Parliamentary Triangle entirely.
The Coalition this week agreed or agreed in principle to all six of the Committee’s recommendations.
“The National Capital Authority, through the National Capital Plan, has previously identified options for inter-town public transport routes through the Central National Area,” the Federal Government said.
“The Australian Government recognises the potential impact of this project on the Central National Area and supports the ongoing scrutiny of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories.”