- Interactive: Take a ride down Canberra's light rail journey
- Former treasurer says light rail could derail government
- Light rail reignites north versus south Canberra debate
- Public transport experts disagree over light rail
- Cyclists give cautious endorsement to light rail
- Editorial: Timely development or waste of money?
A convert and a sceptic will lead debate on the one of the most significant issues deciding the 2016 ACT election – Capital Metro and the light rail to Gungahlin.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Capital Metro minister Simon Corbell hasn't always been a believer – in 2005 he said the ACT's population would need to be at least 450,000 before he would even consider it.
But, 10 years later, he has come to realise buses, alone, will not be able to properly service the territory.
"Improving the bus network is very important, but light rail plays a key part in making it happen," Mr Corbell said.
"I don't walk away from what I said, but light rail is clearly the choice most Canberrans will take if they want to see long-term investment."
Mr Corbell said as Canberra's population by 2050 would be 600,000, it was the right time for the project to begin.
"We know by 2030 the average commute time in the morning peak from Gungahlin to the city will be approximately one hour to travel 12 kilometres, and it's going to get worse," he said.
"We need to plan for the future."
Mr Corbell said works would begin on the light rail by 2016 and would create 3500 jobs during construction.
Opposition transport spokesman Alistair Coe said his party would do everything possible to stop the Capital Metro project.
Mr Coe said the government had forecast 3900 commuters would be using light rail in the mornings, just 500 more than use ACTION buses at present.
"Now, is that really the best way to spend $800 million and is that the easiest way to get 500 more public transport users? We say no," he said.
Mr Coe said the Opposition didn't believe work would have started on the light rail by the 2016 election and the sheer magnitude of trees and underground cables which would have to be dealt with would prove too significant a challenge for the government.
"It's going to be a pretty stark sight to see 400 tree stumps up and down Northbourne Avenue and that will be Simon Corbell's legacy," he said.
Mr Corbell said the government would argue the case for light rail up to the next election.
"Bigs things are never easy things to do, but they're the right thing to do and this project is the right thing to do for our city," he said
"The Liberals can play short-term politics, we're focused on long-term infrastructure decisions."
