Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding says Hobart can have light rail within five years

HOBART could have a light rail system running in five years, with the Government promising to pull out “all stops” to get it built.

HOBART could have a light rail system running to the northern suburbs within five years with a Government promise to pull out “all stops” to get it built.

Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding said yesterday — following Tuesday’s agreement with the Federal Government to accelerate a City Deal for Hobart — that the people of the northern suburbs were “ready for it”.

This is despite him saying last year he didn’t view the light rail as feasible “just now”.

“That’s not to say that the entire business case is ready yet, but with the signing of the City Deal we clearly have the acceptance of the Prime Minister of Australia and the government of Australia for the appropriate development of the line,” he said.

“As a government we will pull out all the stops.”

Mr Hidding had previously said that several studies had confirmed light rail was “not feasible just now”, although “its time will come”.

The details of the development were detailed in a GHD study released last year, showing plans for new “key precincts” worth a potential $200 million.

Minister for Infrastructure Rene Hidding speaks about light rail potential. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Yesterday he said a business case for funding for the $200 million project would now be prepared that would also include urban renewal along the rail corridor and the creation of “key precincts”.

“I can see the first rail carriages on this line within five years but there is a massive amount of work required and that starts today,” Mr Hidding said.

Outside of the support now for the light rail, the State Government has a Southern integrated transport plan along with the Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority to co-ordinated addressing transport issues over the next 20-years.

On top of the light rail — which the Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group say could run trains from Mawson Place to Glenorchy in just 13 minutes and to Mona in 16.

Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group president Ben Johnston said it was great to hear Mr Hidding committing to having a rail service operational within five years.

“It’s such an exciting project,” he said.

“It has to go ahead, the rail line here is begging to be used ... it will really unlock the surrounding areas.”

Local business owner — Lucy Baker of St Albi’s in Moonah — said it would be massive for the area.

“I would just love to see the growth in the northern suburbs on a residential level,” she said.

St Albi‘s Bar and Eatery owner, Lucy Baker, right, with Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group President Ben Johnston at the rail crossing on Albert Road, Moonah. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Labor has already allocated $14 million from its first term of government — should it win at the polls — for significant “make ready” works on the Hobart rail corridor.

Labor public transport spokesman Craig Farrell said expressions of interest for an operator would be sought within Labor’s first year in office.

Shadow treasurer Scott Bacon said Labor would be similarly quick to implement urban renewal aspects of the project.

“We would move immediately to rezone the rail corridor for medium density housing, park and ride carparks, new commercial, retail and office developments, recreation and education precincts,” he said.

Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group president Ben Johnston welcomed Mr Hidding’s commitment, saying it could “easily” be constructed in five years if the political will were there.

“It’s such an exciting project,” he said.

“It has to go ahead. The rail line here is begging to be used ... it will really unlock the surrounding areas.”

But a “stuff-up” where several hundred metres of TasRail line near the Hobart Regatta Grounds were mistakenly removed needed to be overcome.

Curtain University sustainability expert Peter Newman — who has spoken with PM Malcolm Turnbull on the issue — said this was why the new “game changer” of public transport, trackless trams, should be instead considered to run through the corridor.

The trackless tram, powered by roof-mounted lithium-ion batteries that are rechargeable in 30 seconds at stations, follows magnetic strips painted onto the road — so would not be limited by any lack of rail track.

“It looks like light rail, acts like light rail but has more options,” he said.

“You could imagine it charging down the corridor and then keep going through to the city, it just needs to follow those strips.

“And it is cheaper than light rail as well.”