‘Spend$25m on light rail’

Mayor wants action, not reports

THE $25 ms et aside for a public transport link to Hobart’ s northern suburbs must not be frittered away on yet more studies, but should be spent building infrastructure for light rail, Glenorchy mayor Kris tie Johnston says.

A $300,000 consultant’s report this week highlighted light rail’s city-transforming potential, but stopped short of recommending rail over a dedicated rapid bus link.

Alderman Johnston said now was the time for decisive leadership, not more dithering.

“Get the detailed engineering design done and start spending the $25 mon actually improving the rail infrastructure,’’ she said.

“You could refurbish the entire rail line for that amount of money, which would be a pretty damn good start. And they want to catch it! They just want to be able to get on the train, so they are frustrated beyond belief.

“Our community want Labor to do more than just criticise the government. They want them to step up, make a firm commitment to deliver .”

Premier Peter Gutwein says the government is working through the process of determining the best option for the old rail corridor under the HobartCityDeal.

“One of the key things that I think is absolutely important with the northern suburbs transport corridor is that ... regardless of what type of transport is used on it ,[ the corridor] provides a link that will enable planning and rezoning to occur, it will open up accommodation options and other living arrangements that could see that corridor or areas near that corridor, flourish ,’’ Mr Gutwein said .“The key issue is the transport link, whether it is light rail or trackless trams or some form of other public transport .”

Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group president Michael Hangan said the report was the 24 tho nt he corridor.

“The community is tired of endless studies ,’’ he said .“How hard is it to put trains back on the track we already have ?”

Labor infrastructure spokesman Shane Broad said Labor had always preferred rail.

“In five years this government has conceded that it has done nothing, and Labor will hold them to account for that,’’ he said.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the Liberals were “dawdling”.