Alistair Coe on the wrong track

The role of an Opposition is to hold an elected government to account for actions and to propose alternate policies, basically to offer an alternative to the government of the day. Alistair Coe is a very intelligent and hard working MLA, so it is difficult to understand his latest press release opposing the Capital Metro project.

GOVERNMENT IRRESPONSIBLE ABOUT LIGHT RAIL

The document which the ACT Government is using as the basis of their decision to build light rail does not provide the substance required to justify the project, said ACT Shadow Minister for Transport, Alistair Coe.

“The Government’s decision making process for light rail has been irresponsible at best, negligent at worst,” said Mr Coe.

“The Government claims to have based its decision to construct light rail on a Concept Report produced last year.

“However, the Concept Report is very light on details and by no means comprehensive enough to justify spending ‘$700 - $860 million’ on light rail.

“The Government is treating the Concept Report as a ‘tick of approval’ for light rail.

“However, even the report’s assessment of light rail is ‘…there is no benefit or harm.’ (URS Australia, page 30)

“If the Government has based their decision to build light rail on this report, then taxpayers should be very concerned.

“The Government should release the scope of the report given to the authors and any other documents used to influence their decision to spend so much money on light rail,” concluded Mr Coe.

 
ACT Light Rail will now examine these statements, a line at a time.  

“The Government’s decision making process for light rail has been irresponsible at best, negligent at worst,” said Mr Coe.

The decision making process was incredibly slow. It took over a decade. The government has arrived at its decision after three failed public transport policies based on improving ACTION Buses so that patronage would reverse its decline. Admitting a need for modal change was a big policy shift.

“The Government claims to have based its decision to construct light rail on a Concept Report produced last year. 
 
The URS report was a concept report, but it was the last of several contemporary reports, including the PWC report into a Canberra wide light rail project. These reports all recommend light rail, as it enhances public transport patronage, reduces road congestion and will raise productivity in the ACT.

 “However, the Concept Report is very light on details and by no means comprehensive enough to justify spending ‘$700 - $860 million’ on light rail.

The concept report offered several alternatives for the corridor. An engineering study has been completed which the government has now based a budget on. A figure of 600 million, not the figure used in the press release.

“The Government is treating the Concept Report as a ‘tick of approval’ for light rail. 

It is not what the decision was based on. The decision was based on economic, social and political factors.  The ALP/Greens agreement to govern, is the approval required for the project to proceed.

“However, even the report’s assessment of light rail is ‘…there is no benefit or harm.’ (URS Australia, page 30)
“If the Government has based their decision to build light rail on this report, then taxpayers should be very concerned. 

The URS report also said that 'Light rail transit generates the best overall outcome for Canberra'. Taxpayers should be concerned at the Governments ability to deliver the project on budget and on time, as it has a demonstrably poor record in major project delivery. This is where the focus of the Opposition should lie.

“The Government should release the scope of the report given to the authors and any other documents used to influence their decision to spend so much money on light rail,” concluded Mr Coe.

We agree with Alistair on this point. These documents should be made public.

The role of Opposition is demanding and generally Alistair Coe does a very good job. Over the years the ALP Government has a poor record on public transport and major project management, so his concerns are justified. However, continually opposing the Capital Metro project on spurious grounds is not a sustainable strategy. The points in his press release are easily dismissed.

ACT Light Rail would ask the Canberra Liberals "What is your alternative public transport policy?"

Capital Metro cost benefit stacks up

Minister for ESDD Simon Corbell has issued a press release arguing the financial case for light rail. This follows several days of pressure from Canberra Liberals MLA Alistair Coe on the financing model that Capital Metro will use.

The press release is as follows:


Capital Metro cost benefit stacks up

The ACT Government’s Capital Metro light rail project delivers a benefit cost outcome similar to, or better than, other light rail projects that are going ahead around Australia, Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Simon Corbell said today.

“According to Infrastructure Australia’s own costings methodology, the benefit cost ratio for Capital Metro at our medium growth scenario was 2.34; this is similar to, or better than, the benefit cost ratio for other light rail projects going ahead in QLD and NSW,” Mr Corbell said.

“The Gold Coast light rail project, for example, has a benefit cost ratio of 1.63, and Sydney’s Inner West light rail project between Lilyfield and Dulwich Hill is understood to have a benefit cost ratio of 1.0.

“Benefit cost ratio is a key indicator of a project’s viability. A ratio greater than 1 demonstrates that economically, for every dollar spent there is a positive economic return.

“A ratio of 2.34 shows that for every dollar spent, there is a return of just over two dollars.

“It’s also important to note that the Infrastructure Australia report, that Opposition Transport spokesman Alistair Coe keeps referring to, has not ruled out light rail, rather it has named a ‘Canberra Transit Corridor’ as an early stage infrastructure priority (page 100).

“Transforming and integrating the city’s public transport system is a big investment that will deliver benefits to Canberrans, and to the economy, for decades to come,” Mr Corbell said.

Infrastructure Australia supports Civic to Gungahlin project

Today's release of the 2013 Infrastructure Australia 'COAG Report on National Infrastructure Plan', contains very good news for Canberra's light rail supporters. In the list of infrastructure projects receiving support, there are at least 10 rail submissions (p.98) and 'City to Gungahlin', or what is now known as 'Capital Metro' is one of them. This is a far better response than the previous light rail submission which was rejected as it did not meet the criteria for support or funding.

Confusingly, there is a reference on p.41 to 'Northbourne Avenue bus lanes', but ACT Light Rail believe this reflects ALP policy up until the ALP/Greens 'agreement to govern' following the Assembly election late last year. ACT Light Rail are keen to hear Minister Corbells response though.

Shadow Transport Minister Alistair Coe has issued a media release titled 'Wheres the Light Rail?'. Instead of searching on the word 'Canberra' in the text, it would perhaps be more profitable to read the full report. Doing this reveals a very different picture that supports light rail in Canberra.

Simply by reading p.34 'Better Use of Urban Networks', you can find the very reasons Canberra needs Light Rail discussed in a broader national context.

Action 1: Better Use of Urban Networks
Capital cities across Australia struggle with under performing, legacy transport and infrastructure networks, many of which were not designed with the needs of a 21st century population and economy in mind.

Better use of urban networks will be critical to lifting infrastructure productivity, optimising network performance, managing limited capital budgets, and deferring costly new investment in ‘mega’ projects.

It recommends actions, that ACT Light Rail support, that can only be achieved with a light rail project, and not a bus only solution. These are:
    ⁃    manage transport demands
    ⁃    integrate bus and light rail
    ⁃    encourage Transit Oriented Development
    ⁃    investment in public transport

P.40 contains even more support for the principles behind the Capital Metro project with an observation about the future uses of government investment in transport being directed toward public transport:

"Although cars are presently the dominant form of private travel, we need to shift the balance of investment and regulation to prioritise higher volume or higher value transport options. This could involve priority for buses, commercial and freight vehicles at peak times and improving the efficiency and convenience of our transport network.

The smarter solutions to our urban transport needs focus on freight, commercial and public transport, and for local trips, cycling and walking.

Public investment in urban transport should focus on public transport, with expansions to the urban road network funded by users, not all taxpayers.

Australia’s cities are growing at different rates. Appropriate public transport solutions depend on the size of our cities.
The national priority list has identified well developed proposals that would support liveability in our cities and benefit growing urban areas."

The report also mentions that 'the project needs to be accompanied by a change in the pricing of parking in Civic and other centers in Canberra.'

By encouraging investment in public transport, Infrastructure Australia send a clear signal to those who would be keen to provide finance to the ACT Governments Capital Metro project, that the Federal Government has a long term plan to invest in public transport infrastructure.

ACT Light Rail are not opposed to further bus lanes in Canberra, we see the full integration of bus and light rail as the only way to service Canberra's public transport needs. We do believe that investment in Capital Metro needs to occur, and the ACT Government has signed an agreement to govern committing to construction commencing prior to the expiry of this current Assembly term.




Northbourne Avenue is Canberra's most congested road, and the Gungahlin to Civic corridor is the first route planned for Capital Metro, as it will alleviate the most urgent road congestion problem in an area that requires urgent attention to public transport infrastructure. 

ACT Light Rail have met with senior ESD staff and are convinced this Government is carefully planning and implementing a program to deliver on that commitment. Avoiding project management debacles such as the GDE are what the Opposition demands, and what the ACT public expect. by proper planning and good management, that can be achieved.

The COAG report sends a clear signal that the project has the support of Infrastructure Australia.



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