Another light rail report

THE painstaking process to establish a new public transport link to Hobart’s northern suburbs continues, with a state government department ordering another consultant’s report on the project.

The Department of State Growth has advertised a tender for a consultant to deliver a growth strategy for the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor, a key part of the $1.4bn Hobart City Deal.

It comes amid mounting criticism that money spent on consultants should instead be put into building infrastructure for light rail.

A separate report by Sydney-based PricewaterhouseCoopers last year highlighted rail’s city-transforming potential, but stopped short of recommending rail over a dedicated rapid bus link.

The PwC report provided an analysis of various transport modes, identifying two for further work — bus rapid transit and light rail.

Part of it considered each of the 13 proposed stop locations along the corridor and the potential land use and rezoning opportunities at each of them.

But this month’s tender said a growth strategy was required for the corridor to guide urban and economic development as part of its activation. It aims to: INFORM future development along the corridor, especially near proposed stop locations. INCREASE the population living along the corridor to support the operation of the transport solution. SUPPORT urban renewal and the lifting of value along the corridor.

ENCOURAGE movement of people along the corridor, between stop locations, and on other public transport routes.

Newly elected independent MP and long-serving Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston said the new report was a key step but should not be a reason for slow progress.

“Clearly the mode analysis demonstrated by far that rail is the best option, and that only rail will deliver the growth … our city needs,’’ she said.

“The growth strategy shouldn’t be a reason for delaying. It’s work that can be done at the same time.”

Ms Johnston said $25m assigned for the project in the Hobart City Deal should be used for detailed design work for rail to progress the project.

“We should be starting that immediately. The money has been in the budget,’’ she said.

She said the project would deliver hundreds of new jobs and thousands of new homes.

Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group president Michael Hangan said he was concerned about another consultancy.

“They just keep doing reports,’’ he said. “I’m a … bit confused as to why.”

The PwC report found light rail could be built for as little as $291m, bus rapid transit for $221m and trackless trams for $249m. Trams were ruled out.

The report said the chosen option could be running by 2026.

A state government spokeswoman said the government was working with its federal counterpart and the Glenorchy and Hobart councils to determine the best solution.

“We are continuing to evaluate a number of possible modes of transport along the corridor,” she said.