The proposed light rail stop at Kings Avenue near Parliament and the Barton precinct. An operational leg to Sydney Avenue or Hopetoun Circuit would find Federal Government support, the public transport lobby says. Image: ACT Government.
Construction of light rail to Woden from Commonwealth Park should be done in progressive stages, with the first one being to Sydney Avenue next to Parliament House, Canberra’s public transport lobby has urged.
In its submission to the consultation on the proposed Light Rail Stage 2B, the Public Transport Association (PTCBR) also urges changes to the station designs, the surrounding infrastructure and that a stop be considered for the proposed North Curtin residential area.
PTCBR says it is not advocating the project procurement be split, but believes a staged approach would bring sections of the line into operation sooner rather than waiting for the entire line to be completed.
This would benefit Parliament House and the growing Barton precinct in particular, something the Federal Government would support.
“Progressive commissioning could realise significant benefits of LRS2B earlier than anticipated and more rapidly serve the currently developing office precinct in Barton, the visitor attractions in the National Triangle and Parliament House,” the submission says.
“PTCBR believe this would be welcomed by the Federal Government, not only the precinct’s major employer and landholder but also an expected joint funder of the project.”
The submission notes three new offices under construction in Barton, including the new Tax Office, are expected to house 2000 staff by 2026 and that construction of the 5000-strong National Security Precinct on the corner of Brisbane Avenue and State Circle will commence in 2025.
“This location will have a high occupancy rate, as there is likely to be little scope for employees at this precinct to work from home,” the submission says.
“Good transport connections will therefore be essential.”
Possible light rail station locations and connections. Image: PTCBR.
PTCBR says a track cross-over and battery recharging would be needed at Sydney Avenue to enable return trips.
An alternative first operational stage could terminate at Hopetoun Circuit, where overhead power is expected to resume.
PTCBR has also proposed alternatives to the Kent/Novar Street stop that would be closer to North Curtin, where a new 1300-home residential development is planned.
This could be at an extended Cotter Road at the northern end of the North Curtin residential area or the southern end.
The submission says the area around the light rail stops needs to be more pedestrian-friendly, urging the elimination of slip lanes and the building of a marked pedestrian crossing, as well as weather protection, including covered walkways and waiting areas.
PTCBR says that light rail should open the way for reuse of surface car parks near stops.
What the Kent/Novar Street Stop could look like. PTCBR is urging more weather protection. Image: ACT Government.
At Albert Hall, redeveloping the surface car parks in the National Triangle into new precincts and attractions should be considered.
At the Phillip Oval stop in Woden, the submission says nearby surface car parks could be consolidated into a multi-level parking facility and the remaining sites released for mixed-use retail.
PTCBR urges planning to start integrating the new line with bus routes, including new bus stops and safe and easy active travel links between the two modes.
Chair Ryan Hemsley said that PTCBR urged a holistic approach to planning and design for Light Rail Stage 2B that accounted for future development slated along the alignment, the need for safe and convenient pedestrian access to stations, and the passenger experience at light rail stations.
“We want passengers to feel comfortable at stations, which will require excellent lighting, protection from the weather, and measures to reduce noise from surrounding roads,” he said.
“We also know from Canberra’s first stage of light rail that the median passenger walks 600 metres to a stop, and some regularly walk up to twice that distance. So we want people to access the stations safely and conveniently, and that means co-locating bus stops and improving active travel infrastructure on the approach roads.”
While the National Triangle route is still to be decided and there are differences of opinion within PTCBR, the submission is based on the preferred State Circle route.
The project hinges on the October election result, with the Canberra Liberals pledging not to proceed with Stage 2B.
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