Call for light rail to set urban renewal agenda

PUBLIC transport advocates say light rail must happen before a new vision for urban renewal in Hobart’s Northern Suburbs can become a reality.

An artist’s impression of Albert Road and its new high street with eateries. Image: GHD

PUBLIC transport advocates say light rail must happen before a new vision for urban renewal in the northern suburbs can become a reality.

A report prepared for Hobart and Glenorchy councils proposes new “key precincts” for more intensive urban, commercial and community development at New Town, Albert Rd, Derwent Park Rd, Glenorchy Central, Berriedale and Claremont.

The study by GHD was commissioned after the State Government said light rail would not be economically viable unless there was increased development to boost population along the rail corridor.

The 2013 business case for light rail put the cost at about $100 million.

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Hobart Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group president Ben Johnston welcomed the plan, but said the State Government’s logic on light rail was back-to-front.

“The experience in the rest of Australia is you build the transport infrastructure and all the development happens around those stations,” he said.

“No developer is going to build something, say at Austins Ferry, on a whim hoping light rail will be built one day.”

Mr Johnston said the main challenge to light rail was the political and bureaucratic obsession with building roads.

He said current governments had no qualms about spending millions on roads, but baulked at spending on public transport.

Premier Will Hodgman said the State Government supported the work being done by the two councils on urban renewal.

Mr Hodgman said the State Government had quarantined the rail corridor for the light rail in the future.

“We’ve made it clear we want to look at alternative transport options and light rail is one of those. At the moment, it doesn’t stack up but that doesn’t mean it won’t some time in the future,” he said.

“We’ve always said this is an exciting project.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said councils were doing the work of the State Government when it came to providing a vision for Hobart’s future.

“The Liberals have put Hobart’s light rail in the too hard basket and left it all to local councils to show the drive and leadership that is required to ease congestion and modernise transport infrastructure in the South,” she said.

“The next step can’t be left to councils. The State Government must make a real financial commitment if the greater Hobart area, particularly the northern suburbs, are to continue to enjoy the city’s prosperity without enduring endless traffic congestion to do so.”