The Minister for Transport and City Services, Meegan Fitzharris has welcomed an inquiry into the route of the City-to-Woden light rail service by the Federal Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories.
Ms Fitzharris said the ACT would cooperate with the inquiry and welcomed the opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of a city-wide light rail network in Canberra.
“Construction on Stage One from the City to Gungahlin is already well under way, with more than 700 people working on the project and testing of the vehicles due to start in coming months,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“Planning and design for Stage Two is well under way with the City to Woden route that travels through Parkes and Barton now the ACT Government’s preferred route.”
She said she hoped the inquiry would provide all stakeholders with clarity about the approvals process; how the heritage values and national importance of the Parliamentary Zone could be retained and enhanced, ensuring all parties had a shared understanding of the benefit light rail would have for people in Woden, the Inner South and Canberra more broadly.
“The people of Canberra voted for light rail and that is what this Government is determined to deliver,” Ms Fitzharris said.
In a statement the Chair of the Standing Committee, former Queanbeyan school bus driver now Western Australian MP, Ben Morton, said it would give consideration to the Parliamentary approval processes; the role of the National Capital Authority; possible impacts on the Parliamentary zone; possible impacts on the heritage values and national importance of the Parliamentary zone; and other matters that might be of concern.
Mr Morton said the Committee would accept written submissions for its consideration until 15 June.
Information on how to lodge a submission can be accessed on the Parliament House website at this PS News link.
