Canberra light rail construction timeline for Capital Metro Stage One

This brochure detailing the construction timeline for Canberra Metros build of Capital Metro light rail Stage One was distributed to prospective tenderers at last weeks Canberra Business Chamber Light Rail Forum. Construction began on July 12 2016.

For more frequent updates on Capital Metro and light rail related news, please visit our Facebook page 'Light Rail for Canberra'.  

The Canberra Business Chamber warn of the long term damage to our economy of 'tearing up contracts' for Capital Metro for political reasons

Glenn Keys, Chair  of the Canberra Business Chamber has written an article warning about the long term damage to the economy of Canberra that could be created by the 'tearing up of contracts' for political reasons. The Canberra Liberals have made it clear that is what they will do if they form government following the 2016 Assembly elections, in an act described by the Federal Liberal party as 'an act of economic lunacy'.

In his article Mr Keys refers to the importance of adhering to the law, and that political interference in the legal process will have expensive long term consequences for business and infrastructure investment in Canberra, damaging our future.

"However a business chooses to manage their contractual dealings, all will likely have one thing in common – a belief that a signed contract is inviolable.

It is this certainty that allows them to plan. Once a contract is agreed, a business can confidently employ and invest as needed. To spend and grow without this guarantee creates risk and uncertainty.

If a contract could be easily dishonoured without recourse, it would simply be a piece of paper and have no value to a business in terms of informing their future."

Many companies have long-term contracts with governments. These contracts can be for work that will take years or even decades to complete. It is based on this assured engagement that businesses are built up in order to meet their commitments.
Yet the political lifecycle is short, with it being possible a government will only be in power as little as three years. If government contracts were solely reliant on the government of the day being voted back in, businesses would think long and hard about getting involved in long-term projects, or change their pricing based on this risk.
The type of long-term projects the private sector usually partners with government on are major infrastructure projects. Infrastructure of all types – road, rail, convention centres, hospitals, schools etc. – are important to our economy. In 2012–13, 9.6 per cent of GDP was generated by Australian infrastructure industries.
Therefore, it is vitally important the private sector feels encouraged and confident about investing in infrastructure development.
- See more at: http://www.canberrabusiness.com/infrastructure-investment-vital-act-economy-planning-population-growth/#sthash.v0XH7rA0.dpuf

Many companies have long-term contracts with governments. These contracts can be for work that will take years or even decades to complete. It is based on this assured engagement that businesses are built up in order to meet their commitments.
Yet the political lifecycle is short, with it being possible a government will only be in power as little as three years. If government contracts were solely reliant on the government of the day being voted back in, businesses would think long and hard about getting involved in long-term projects, or change their pricing based on this risk.
The type of long-term projects the private sector usually partners with government on are major infrastructure projects. Infrastructure of all types – road, rail, convention centres, hospitals, schools etc. – are important to our economy. In 2012–13, 9.6 per cent of GDP was generated by Australian infrastructure industries.
Therefore, it is vitally important the private sector feels encouraged and confident about investing in infrastructure development.
- See more at: http://www.canberrabusiness.com/infrastructure-investment-vital-act-economy-planning-population-growth/#sthash.v0XH7rA0.dpuf

Many companies have long-term contracts with governments. These contracts can be for work that will take years or even decades to complete. It is based on this assured engagement that businesses are built up in order to meet their commitments.
Yet the political lifecycle is short, with it being possible a government will only be in power as little as three years. If government contracts were solely reliant on the government of the day being voted back in, businesses would think long and hard about getting involved in long-term projects, or change their pricing based on this risk.
The type of long-term projects the private sector usually partners with government on are major infrastructure projects. Infrastructure of all types – road, rail, convention centres, hospitals, schools etc. – are important to our economy. In 2012–13, 9.6 per cent of GDP was generated by Australian infrastructure industries.
Therefore, it is vitally important the private sector feels encouraged and confident about investing in infrastructure development.
- See more at: http://www.canberrabusiness.com/infrastructure-investment-vital-act-economy-planning-population-growth/#sthash.v0XH7rA0.dpuf

"...Many companies have long-term contracts with governments. These contracts can be for work that will take years or even decades to complete. It is based on this assured engagement that businesses are built up in order to meet their commitments.

Yet the political lifecycle is short, with it being possible a government will only be in power as little as three years. If government contracts were solely reliant on the government of the day being voted back in, businesses would think long and hard about getting involved in long-term projects, or change their pricing based on this risk.

The type of long-term projects the private sector usually partners with government on are major infrastructure projects. Infrastructure of all types – road, rail, convention centres, hospitals, schools etc. – are important to our economy. In 2012–13, 9.6 per cent of GDP was generated by Australian infrastructure industries.

Therefore, it is vitally important the private sector feels encouraged and confident about investing in infrastructure development."

"...Infrastructure does not get built without investment by governments and the private sector and it needs to be encouraged.

One major infrastructure project is now underway here in the ACT, with the signing last week of the light rail contract between the ACT Government and the prime contractor.

Local businesses will win work associated with this project; an effective public transport system will help attract visitors to our city, visitors who will spend in our restaurants, shops and hotels; if it results in shorter commute times, this translates to increased productivity; and we expect new skills and capacity to be developed by those involved in the project. Light rail has the potential to make Canberra more connected and liveable – two key planks of Canberra Business Chamber’s Destination 2030."

"...Threats to tear up the light rail contract now it has been signed, have the potential to hurt the ACT’s ability to attract inward investment for other infrastructure projects.

When political parties, or indeed members of the community, form a view on a project, I urge them to think about what it can contribute to our city and its residents as a whole. A strategic view of what is best for the Canberra Region must be taken."

Read the entire article Infrastructure Investment Vital to ACT Economy, Planning and Population Growth at the Canberra Business Chamber website.

As well as this website, the facebook group 'Light Rail for Canberra' carries frequent updates on Capital Metro and light rail related news. 

Local suppliers to Capital Metro Stage One - Canberra Business Chamber support

Are you a local business looking to supply services/products to the Capital Metro Stage One project?

The Canberra Business Chamber is working to connect potential local suppliers with the consortium constructing Stage 1 of the ACT’s light rail system.

One key way the Light Rail Business Link Program plans to achieve this is by developing a Suppliers List. The Suppliers List will outline firms in Canberra with capacity and interest in bidding for projects and associated work with the construction and operation of light rail.

Those firms on the Suppliers List will be kept informed of training and information activities and opportunities relevant to them.

To make sure you are kept informed, please complete the online form here.

As well as this website, the facebook group 'Light Rail for Canberra' carries frequent updates on Capital Metro and light rail related news. 

Sydney and Tucson Light Rail experience bodes well for Canberra business

The Canberra Business Chamber are running a Light Rail Business Link program to assist businesses seeking contracts or work associated with Capital Metro Stage One construction. The Canberra Business Chamber issued the following media release on the opportunities that can be realised by businesses during and after the construction of light rail:

Sydney and Tucson Light Rail experience bodes well for Canberra business

Experience from cities where light rail systems have been introduced suggest that rather than being anxious about the impact of construction, local businesses should look for the opportunities that can be created during this period and beyond.

Sydney is about a year ahead of the ACT in introducing light rail. A light rail route is currently under construction through the middle of the very busy Sydney CBD, including construction on the major thoroughfare of George Street.

“Many businesses are located on George Street,” Light Rail Business Link Program Manager, Ben Maguire said. “These businesses were understandably worried about the impact construction would have on them – particularly as it was scheduled to include the busy Christmas period.”

The NSW Government kept business informed about the project and worked with them on activation of the area.

Businesses located in proximity to the light rail construction in Sydney were provided with pop-up spaces where they could market their products to potential customers over the Christmas sales period and help draw them to their shopfront.

In addition, the NSW Government implemented a number of activities to draw people to the area, such as the erection of a large Christmas tree.

“Retailers along the light rail route we have spoken with have indicated construction did not negatively impact on sales in the end, despite their initial fears,” Mr Maguire said.

“Accommodation and hospitality businesses in particular can benefit from light rail. I was recently part of a delegation that travelled to the United States to explore urban renewal projects, particularly transit-oriented development.

“Tucson has had a light rail system running for two years ago. Since the city started planning a light rail system, there has been $1.5 billion worth of investment along the corridor.

“Two hundred new restaurants and bars have opened adjacent to the light rail route and 1,500 new jobs have been created,” Mr Maguire explained. “There are currently five new hotels under construction. Prior to this renewal project, there had not been a new hotel development in Tucson in 20 years.

“Occupancy rates for retail tenancy have increased from 50 per cent to over 90 per cent since light rail commenced operation in Tucson.”

The experience in Tucson highlights how vital it is for businesses to work with programs such as Light Rail Business Link.

Tucson established the Main Street Small Business Assistance Program to provide businesses with assistance to prepare for the impacts of construction.

“Businesses who engaged with the Main Street Program and prepared for impacts prior to construction were the best equipped during the actual construction phase,” City of Tucson Assistant City Manager, Albert Elias said.

Some of the initiatives implemented to assist businesses along the corridor included easing signage regulations so businesses could erect temporary signs to let people know they were open and drive traffic and trade through the door. A series of public service announcements encouraged residents to support businesses in the construction zone.

“By partnering with Canberra Business Chamber to establish the Light Rail Business Link Program, the ACT Government has demonstrated it wants to similarly help address potential impacts on Canberra businesses,” Mr Maguire stated.

“We are aware some local businesses along the proposed corridor are concerned about the effect construction will have, particularly in terms of customer bookings and experience,” Mr Maguire said.

The Light Rail Business Link Program is designed to act as a conduit between local businesses, the ACT Government and the prime contractor to limit and assist in managing any adverse impacts on local businesses from construction.

Business Continuity Workshops are being planned for hospitality and accommodation providers situated along the light rail route to explore concerns and discuss possible ways to minimise anticipated issues.

“We look forward to working with local businesses through the upcoming Business Continuity Workshops to ensure they get similar positive results as we have seen elsewhere and ensure predicted problems do not come to pass,” Mr Maguire said.

Any businesses with questions regarding light rail construction in the ACT can contact the Light Rail Business Link program on 6247 4199.

As well as this website, the facebook group 'Light Rail for Canberra' carries frequent updates on Capital Metro and light rail related news.