Infrastructure Plan Updated

The following is from a press release by ACT Government Deputy Chief Minister and Treasurer Andrew Barr. The report update is here, with Capital Metro discussed on page 28.

Building Canberra for our second century 

Today I released the 2013-14 Update of the ACT Government Infrastructure Plan detailing the continued significant investment being made in a range of major infrastructure developments as we move into our second 

The Infrastructure Plan Update provides an overview of key infrastructure projects that the ACT Government has funded through the 2013-14 Budget or is considering for funding over the next decade. 

As well as informing the community, the Plan is intended to advise the construction industry and other relevant business sectors of a continuing pipeline of projects. 

Transformational projects, such as Capital Metro and the City to the Lake project including new convention facilities and stadium, are in response to the increasing demand for high quality infrastructure from both a growing population and an increasingly diversified private sector. 

This investment will be a significant boost to our construction industry and the associated generation of new jobs will greatly enhance our economy. 

It is estimated that during the June 2013 quarter, there was $10.3 billion worth of private and public sector projects either underway or in the planning phase in Canberra and the region. 

The ACT Government’s 2013-14 Budget infrastructure investment program provides for $272.2 million over four years and includes new capital works, feasibility studies, forward design projects, plant and equipment, and information and communication technology investment. 

With our population expected to exceed 500,000 by 2056 this growth requires the right investment in the Territory’s future infrastructure to meet the needs that such a population will demand. 

The Update also showcases significant infrastructure projects being delivered by ActewAGL, the Canberra Airport, ACTEW, and the National Broadband Network.

Through ongoing delivery of this innovative infrastructure program, we are determined to make Canberra a great place to live and work. 

The Plan is available at economicdevelopment.act.gov.au

For more frequent updates visit our facebook page Light Rail for Canberra

Emma Thomas meets the public for the first time as Capital Metro Project Director

Picture from Canberra Times

Emma Thomas, the new Project Director for Capital Metro, attended the Gungahlin Community Council meeting on Wednesday 12 November to talk to the public about the project. She handled her introduction to the community on such an important project very competently. She stood up and talked about what she saw as the benefits and challenges of Capital Metro - without a powerpoint display - just talked and then invited questions.

Most of the questions from the crowd of about 50 people (including a strong turnout by  members of ACT Light Rail) were reasonable, there were a few light rail sceptics in the audience and she answered those as well as the questions from believers. One person (who was having their questions texted to them) asked the predictable 'do we have enough density' question (we do, especially along the Northbourne Flemington corridor). Some discussion about the challenges (such as the Flemington/Northbourne intersection) involved several people and I'm sure that the duo of communications staff that accompanied Ms Thomas captured those comments for later study.

I especially appreciated her mention of how buses and light rail are used differently by passengers. Bus passengers tend to ride from end to end and not get off along the way, whereas light rail passengers hop on and off and visit multiple places on their journey. Several mentions of Dickson and a transport hub there, were also made. This is not by accident.

It is clear that the project team is still considering several options such as the placement of the Gungahlin terminus, and also taking into account future expansion (including from the town centre) of the network. 

She also assured one person that reading a book on light rail was far easier than on a bus! 

After the Capital Metro team left, and much later in the meeting, the GCC were discussing how they had setup a stall in the Town Centre and were surprised how many people they spoke to weren't Gungahlin residents, but visited to shop. I think that when Capital Metro starts operations, Gungahlin will benefit from more people from Dickson and along Northbourne visiting the Town Centre. 

I was impressed at the way Ms Thomas introduced herself to the Canberra public. It is vital that this project be delivered properly by the ACT Government. They do have form in poor project delivery. Capital Metro so far, seems to be the exception. The senior staff that have been recruited to date (Glenn Bain and Emma Thomas) have track records of success, and have been managing their interactions with the public very competently. This bodes well for Canberra. 

Read the Canberra Times article 'Light rail will benefit all Canberrans' here

Visit our facebook page for more frequent updates and discussion on light rail in Canberra.

Capital Metro Integration Study - Public displays

Capital Metro Integration Study Public displays

Capital Metro staff will be conducting public information sessions at the following locations: 

Thursday 24 October
11.30am–2.30pm
Civic Bus Interchange (near Platforms 3 and 4)

Friday 25 October 2013
4pm–7pm
Gungahlin Marketplace (outside Big W)

Saturday 26 October 2013
10am–1pm
Dickson Library

Alternatively you can provide your views on the issues being considered via an online survey

The Light Rail Integration Study is currently underway to identify and assess options for integrating the Gungahlin to City Light Rail Transit (LRT) into Canberra’s overall transport network. This includes the ACTION bus network, the bicycle path network and the pedestrian path network. Options for Bike & Ride, Kiss & Ride, and Park & Ride locations along the LRT route will also be taken into consideration.

Potential LRT stop locations will be assessed in terms of integration with the overall transport system, and the accessibility they provide to the population, employment and other attractions in surrounding areas. The design of LRT stops, and particularly features to promote usage and support transfers from bus and car to LRT, will also be investigated. The correct balance needs to be established between the spacing of LRT stops and the overall speed of the LRT. More stops, at closer spacing, will provide better access to the LRT from surrounding areas. However, as the number of stops increases the overall speed of the LRT reduces.

Options for changes to ACTION’s bus network to integrate with the LRT will be assessed. The objectives will be to improve overall efficiency while maximising public transport patronage.

The Light Rail Integration Study will help us ensure the Gungahlin to City transit corridor is effectively designed to encourage the ACT community to use LRT and that LRT successfully integrates with other means of transport.

(taken from the Capital Metro website)

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