ACT Government: National Capital Authority approves raising of London Circuit

The National Capital Authority has approved works to raise London Circuit. However the ACT Government bid for light rail to Woden remains unclear.

The National Capital Authority (NCA) has approved the ACT Government’s proposal to raise London Circuit in Civic.

The project is seen by many as the first step to make a tram line to Canberra‘s south a reality, however NCA bureaucrats are yet to approve light rail Stage 2.

Despite that, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the project would create “hundreds of jobs” in the nation’s capital.

“The project is a step forward in bringing the city and the lake closer,” Mr Barr said.

“It will support many of the additional infrastructure commitments the ACT Government has planned in the city centre, including the extension of the light rail network to Woden, the renewal of the Canberra Theatre precinct and the Acton Park boardwalk.”

“One of the Government’s priorities is to support our long-term economic prosperity through strategic infrastructure investments.

“The delivery of our infrastructure program will not only support our employment market over the coming years – but will deliver a more connected, sustainable and vibrant places to live in the future.”

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr says the project to raise London Circuit will create hundreds of jobs. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

ACT transport and city services Minister Chris Steel said the significant works would pave the way for stage 2 of light rail between Civic and the Woden region in Canberra’s south.

“This major piece of supporting infrastructure will allow light rail to travel from London Circuit on to Commonwealth Ave,” Mr Steel said.

“The works will include new pedestrian footpath links and dedicated cycle lanes.

“Raising London Circuit will turn a busy and hard-to-navigate road interchange, into a more people-friendly place for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.”

ACT transport and city services minister Chris Steel.

However a statement from the NCA stated it has only approved the raising of London Circuit and new traffic lights at Parkes Way and Coranderrk St at this stage and has not approved light rail to Woden (light rail Stage 2) or light rail to Commonwealth park (light rail Stage 2a).

“(Plans for light rail Stage 2 and 2a were) not presented to the NCA and is not part of the consultation process,” the statement said.

“The plan to undertake the extension of light rail will need to have a separate Works Approval application.

“The NCA is satisfied that raising London Circuit will maintain the geometry of the Griffins’ plan for Canberra and … will not have a major impact on the vista or approach to the Australian Parliament House.”

Render of ACT Government plans to raise London Circuit in Civic. Picture: ACT Government

NCA CEO Sally Barnes, said there was significant public interest in the proposal to raise London Circuit and said the Authority extended its consultation process from 15 business days to 40 business days.

“With 126 public submissions, the community displayed its commitment to the consultation process,” Ms Barnes said.

A statement from the ACT Government said the project would use 60,000 cubic metres of fill to raise the current road with Commonwealth Ave.

The ACT government expects the most disruptive work will begin next year starting with the removal of the Commonwealth Ave overpasses over London Circuit.

The NCA is a statutory authority which controls sections of Canberra that have national importance, including Parliament House, the Parliamentary Triangle, Anzac Parade and Lake Burley Griffin.

This means any new development led by the ACT Government in areas under the Authority’s control must be approved by the NCA.