Northern suburbs public transport plan condemned by “weasel words” says Opposition

Residents are tired of talk as the government considers alternative public transport to activate Hobart’s northern suburbs, as Labor calls the continued delays a broken election promise.

• Government hits the drawing board over mass public transit options
• Labor attacks Government over development of rail corridor

THE state government has been accused of using “weasel words” over the development of light trail to Hobart’s northern suburbs.

Minister for State Growth Michael Ferguson on Tuesday said the government was “technology agnostic” about the future of the rail corridor, saying light rail, heavy rail, buses and trackless trams were among the options being considered.

The Hobart City Deal set aside $25 million to “activate” the disused rail corridor.

Labor member for Elwick Josh Willie said the Liberals promised light rail.

Labor Member for Elwick, Josh Willie said Liberals considering other public transport options is a broken election promise. Picture; Zak Simmonds

“It’s a broken promise, they went to the election saying light rail would be up and running within five years and now Minister Ferguson is using weasel words to walk away from the promise,” he said.

“If Mr Ferguson has other ideas he should be transparent about that, because the people in the northern suburbs want some progress.”

Mr Willie said a consultant’s report on options for the transport link which was expected earlier this year was well overdue.

Images of the latest Hobart light rail proposal.

“The feedback I get in the community is that it’s a popular project, they’re sick of the talk and they want some progress,” he said.

“This project solves a lot of the city’s issues in terms of housing supply and density, in terms of economic and social renewal, access to services and as well it’s a great transport solution.

Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston said her council supported light rail because it would attract high quality development for the area.

Glenorchy Mayor, Kristie Johnston. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“From our perspective rail is the best outcome. We can’t imaging a scenario where the cost of rail would be more than a busway,” she said.

“We are strong advocates of rail, we think it provides the optimal outcome for our community and the community of greater Hobart.

“The beauty with our rail corridor is that we have it there already, unlike Sydney and Melbourne and places where they have had to acquire land for a rail corridor.

“We’ve very blessed in that sense, the biggest ticket item the acquisition of infrastructure has already been done 120 years ago.

The President of the Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group Michael Hangan said there was massive support for the light rail — and the cost would not be as high as in other cities.

“The problem is when you look at their projects, they had other issues that caused that blowout. They didn’t have the infrastructure in place like the rails,” he said.

“We’ve said to upgrade the line for passenger rail would be about $45 million — that doesn’t take into account the rolling stock — and that’s for Hobart to Claremont. To convert the corridor into a busway would be $115 million.

“We had discussions with previous minister. Since this minister has taken over we’ve had no discussion with him.”

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