Bus plan doesn’t include stop at stadium, MP tells parliament

Buses intended to transport thousands of spectators to and from the proposed Macquarie Point stadium will not actually go to Macquarie Point, parliament has heard.

Buses intended to transport thousands of spectators to and from the proposed Macquarie Point stadium will not actually go to Macquarie Point, parliament has heard.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson announced on May 1 that bus rapid transport would be used along the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor to service the stadium.

The old rail line ran directly to Macquarie Point and $20m was included in the Hobart City Deal for the “activation” of the corridor.

But independent member for Clark Kristie Johnston — a vocal proponent of light rail — said she was briefed on the transit plan for the project recently.

“I was dumbfounded when told that the Bus Rapid Transit announced by your Infrastructure minister while he was standing at Macquarie Point would not even go to Macquarie Point,” she told parliament.

Independent Kristie Johnston. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“For a moment I thought it was a joke.

“The plan shown to me has the buses diverting off the rail corridor at the hockey grounds, onto Park Street, down Letitia Street, across busy Burnett Street, down Campbell Street, up Davey Street and arrive at Franklin Square, joining and adding to the traffic jams in the city and, in fact, not going through or even anywhere near Macquarie Point.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the busway would be a vital addition to the city’s transport mix.

“We are looking beyond the utilisation of the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor to create a transport system that opens up opportunities across the city, including the southern and eastern approaches to Hobart,” he said.

“This is why Macquarie Point’s central location is pivotal to this transformation of the transport network, utilising our roads, bridges, and ferries to build a contemporary, efficient and attractive transport system.

“The precinct is critical in unlocking these vital transport corridors.

“As our population grows and the precinct attracts large crowds, providing this next-level transport network is vital to ensure that public patronage is fully utilised and our capital city maintains its enviable lifestyle for residents and tourists.

Ms Johnston was unimpressed.

“The Government’s transport policy, such as it is, is in tatters. The Premier seemed caught off-guard, reading a prepared brief that completely missed the question,” she said.

“What we can now say, is that there is no creditable transport plan for the AFL stadium.

“How are all the touted thousands of spectators going to get to the stadium?”