Mayors and light rail supporters raise queries over hidden consultants report

A consultants’ report on a Hobart light rail service remains unreleased months after it was received, with supporters suggesting it contains advice “the government doesn’t want to know about”.

• $200m twin city vision to transform rail corridor
• Report predicts thousands of jobs in light rail project

THE state government has been accused of sitting on a consultants’ report on Hobart’s northern suburbs rail corridor, with speculation the government does not like the advice it contains.

A study into what would be the best transport option along the disused railway was received by the government earlier this year and provided – in confidence – to Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston and Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds in late August.

Ald Johnston said the mayors had provided their feedback on September 11 and had expected a steering committee meeting at the end of last month, but had heard nothing since.

“We provided feedback six weeks ago and we are very keen to move forward to activate the project,” Ald Johnston said.

She said the report by a Sydney-based consulting firm remained confidential until the government decided to release it, meaning that even her fellow councillors had not seen it.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said that “once the Government and councils have reviewed the study, the Government will be in a position to map out the path to deliver our commitment, which under the Hobart City Deal is to deliver a transport solution to utilise the transport corridor within five to 10 years”.

MORE LIGHT RAIL NEWS

State Government commits to activate unused rail line

Government urged to get on with reopening the northern suburbs rail line

Northern suburbs public transport plan condemned by “weasel words”

Government hits the drawing board over mass public transit options

Labor attacks Government over development of rail corridor

An artist’s impression of the Hobart light rail proposal.

President of the Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group Michael Hangan, who is among those pushing for a light rail service along the tracks, said he could only assume the government did not like the report’s findings.

“I would assume the report is favourable to one particular mode that the government doesn’t want to know about,” Mr Hangan said.

He said there was no justification for withholding the taxpayer-funded report.

“It’s been produced by public funds so it should be released to the wider community. It needs to be out there for public comment,” Mr Hangan said.

Mr Ferguson said the report outlined the detailed infrastructure needs within the corridor for various transport modes, such as light rail, trackless tram and rapid bus transit.

Mr Hangan said if the tracks were ripped up for trackless trams or buses, the dream of a rail service would be lost forever.

Ald Johnston said rail had the greatest potential to create jobs, boost the economy and improve liveability.

“The objective in the City Deal is for city shaping and for providing affordable housing and we want to make sure we don’t just get a second-rate public transport service that does nothing for economic development and urban renewal,” she said.