QUESTIONS IN WRITING

Following public hearing on the inquiry into approvals processes for proposed Stage 2 of the ACT light rail project, 21 June 2018

Question: Can the National Capital Authority (NCA) provide the proposed routes that were part of Walter Burley Griffin’s plans?

The Griffin Plan proposed a model streetcar city. His proposed rail network focused on the Main Avenues and provided lines for ‘rapid transit’ (Griffin’s term).

In his 1913 Report Explanatory, Griffin expanded upon his ideas for an efficient streetcar system. The Main Avenues, straight and direct between destinations, would have ‘maximum facility for … rapid transportation’ and be lined by terrace buildings, which have the greatest intensity and mix of land uses, and ‘provide for a general lineal distribution of retail trade’.

In 2004, the NCA published The Griffin Legacy. The Griffin Legacy illustrated the relationship between the rail and tram network envisaged at the time of ’s Design.

Figure 1: Rail and Tram Network, 1918 Plan – analytical study

Source: The Griffin Legacy, NCA 2014 pg 75

• Can the NCA outline the differences between those plans and the current proposed routes?

The Griffin’s Plan for Canberra outlined a proposal for a trolley car system that operated along the main avenues. These avenues were proposed to have sufficient width so as to ensure that an appropriate space was provided for a landscape setting.

The proposal prepared by the ACT Government differs from that proposed by the Griffins. In particular, the ACT Government has proposed that the light rail cross the Parliamentary Zone in front of Old Parliament House. Griffin proposed that the east-west (light) rail corridor south of Lake Burley Griffin be provided by .

• Are there any benefits or disadvantages associated with Griffin’s proposed routes compared to the current proposed route?

Yes, adopting Griffin’s approach of using Kings Avenue would ensure that the three employment centres at the junctions of the National Triangle (Civic, Russell and Parliament House) would be serviced by the light rail network.

There are benefits in redirecting the route to Kings Avenue as per Griffin’s Plan, which avoids the Parliamentary Zone. The current proposal proposes to set aside and/ or permanently alter the road geometry established by Griffin for the Parliamentary Zone.

The Parliamentary Zone is significant as the home of the Australian Parliament and symbolic of the national capital. It also has significant heritage value as a complex cultural landscape exhibiting a strong planning geometry and broad symmetry that is reinforced by buildings, plantings, parklands, gardens and road system that was part of the Griffin’s concept for Canberra.

• Is there any room for consideration to alter the proposed route to take into account Griffin’s Plan?

Yes, a route that avoids the Parliamentary Zone would have a lower impact on the Griffin’s Plan for Canberra and reduce the number of trees planted by Mr. Charles Weston that are required to be removed.

A range of options exist to amend the light rail route so as to take account of the Griffin’s Plan. These include • extending the route along Commonwealth Avenue to State Circle (rather than turning to cross the Parliamentary Zone). This approximates Griffin’s design and may result in improved trip times, however there are challenges in navigating beneath the Australian Parliament House ramp. • extending the light rail to Russell along Constitution Avenue and then along Kings Avenue to State Circle. Constitution Avenue has recently been re-built. It is not the design envisaged by Griffin. The design for Constitution Avenue that has been built had to accommodate heritage of Anzac Parade and the security requirements of the Australian Government. If this was the preferred option, has a higher speed environment and land available for light rail, which may provide a viable alternative.

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Question: The NCA has stated that there has not been a working group that has been co-designing the proposal. Given 65 per cent of the project cuts through NCA land or a Designated Area, will the NCA establish a working group with the ACT Government for the development of Light Rail Stage 2 project?

The NCA and ACT Government have now scheduled high level meetings to discuss overall progress of the Light Rail project.

So as to ensure its statutory independence is maintained, the NCA will also establish an independent expert reference group to work with planning delegates and provide expert critique of the proposed light rail design and identify the need for further information.

Question: Is the NCA aware of the heritage nomination of Commonwealth Avenue?

Yes, in 2014 the NCA provided the Department of Environment and Energy (DoEE) a report which identified the heritage values of Commonwealth Avenue. This report included a nomination form that proposed ‘National Land Roads’ be added to the Commonwealth Heritage List.

In 2017, the NCA confirmed to DoEE that “The NCA would welcome the re-activation and consideration of previous nominations for: Air Disaster Memorial, Oaks Estate and National Land Roads in the coming assessment period (2017-18)”.

A copy of the heritage assessment undertaken for the NCA (Commonwealth Heritage Assessments for Certain Roads on National Land in Central Canberra 2014) is at Attachment A.

• Has the Department of the Environment and Energy provided a determination on this nomination?

The NCA is unaware of a decision having been made about the above nomination.

• If yes, what was the outcome?

Not applicable.

• If no, has a time-frame been provided by the Department for a determination?

Timing for a determination is a matter for the Department of the Environment and Energy; and the NCA has not been advised.

Question: How does the NCA believe the Kings and Commonwealth Avenue Draft Design Strategy will impact or affect the Light Rail Project, or vice versa?

The Kings and Commonwealth Avenues Draft Design Strategy reinforces the importance of a balanced long-term view of the avenues. The Strategy identifies a shared lane for vehicles and light rail.

• Has the public raised the question of its impact on Light Rail? Ref 352051

Community consultation revealed significant concern regarding additional traffic congestion arising from the proposed introduction of additional intersections and traffic lights.

• When does the NCA expect the implementation of the Kings and Commonwealth Avenue Draft Design Strategy to occur?

The Strategy will inform the NCA asset replacement program and be implemented progressively as assets come to the end of their useful life. The NCA has commenced the first works project arising from strategy. This is the replacement of non-compliant lighting.

Question: It has been stated the trees planted by Mr Charles Weston along Commonwealth Avenue would be approaching their estimated life expectancy. According to the National Arboretum of Australia, deodara cedars have a life expectancy of 600 years, and atlantica cedars have a life expectancy of 300 years and are also on the endangered list.

• As the trees were planted approximately 90 years ago, does the NCA accept these trees are not near the end of their life expectancy?

The life expectancy of trees is dependent on their growing conditions. Cedrus deodara (deodara cedar) has a very long life, however the NCA’s experience in local conditions is that the maximum life is not achieved. The NCA regularly monitors tree condition across the national estate. The condition of trees planted by Mr Charles Weston varies across the national estate.

• What is the NCA’s opinion on the removal of these trees?

The Definition Design provided to the NCA proposes the removal of trees planted by Mr. Charles Weston on Commonwealth Avenue and within the Parliamentary Zone. These trees are significant as surviving evidence of earliest stages of the development of Canberra as the National Capital and the major input of Mr. Charles Weston to the landscaping of the National Capital.

The NCA considers that the removal of these trees is undesirable and should be avoided. Any removal of trees could only be supported if it were accompanied by an appropriate landscape architectural proposal

• Does the NCA believe the trees should be relocated if they are to be removed?

The NCA considers it is highly unlikely that trees of these species and age would be able to be successfully transplanted. An arborist report would be required to confirm this view.

• Is there any possibility of heritage listing of trees along this corridor?

The trees have been found to have Commonwealth heritage value. The heritage listing of the trees is a matter for the Department of the Environment and Energy. The trees along Commonwealth Avenue are included within the Commonwealth Heritage List nomination.

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Question: Light Rail Stage 2 is proposed to run down and Yamba Drive past the Royal Australian Mint. The NCA is currently in the process of Draft Amendment 90 which makes changes to the zoning of the block that holds the Mint.

• Does the NCA believe Draft Amendment 90 will have an impact on the Light Rail Project?

No, the Draft Amendment 90 simply provides for a mixed-use zoning for the Mint Administration building.

• Will there be any considerations made during the process of Draft Amendment 90 to accommodate for the Light Rail Project?

No.

• Draft Amendment 90 mentions the use of office space and mixed zoning. How many office spaces/staff can the Light Rail Project expect to cater for in this precinct?

The number of people who may work at the location is dependent on particular use of the Mint Administration building that is permitted under the mixed zoning (Office, Consulting Rooms, and Health Centre). Patronage for light rail is therefore not possible to calculate at this stage.

• What is the specific area around the Mint that is NCA owned and regulated?

The Mint is managed by the Department of Finance on behalf of the Commonwealth. No area around the Mint is ‘owned’ by the NCA.

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Question: There has been no mention of noise pollution in any discussions about the Light Rail so far. • Are there any concerns regarding the level of noise produced in residential areas?

Noise impacts of the proposal will be considered as part of the environmental impact assessment. The NCA understand that the major cause of noise pollution will be during construction. The light system currently under construction adopts a construction system intended to minimise noise pollution and vibration transfer during rail operation.

• What is the projected level of noise pollution along the Light Rail route?

This is a question for the ACT Government. The technical information provided to the NCA does not include projected noise level data.

• What is the NCA proposing to limit the noise pollution produced in residential areas?

The light rail route that is within the NCA’s jurisdiction does not include residential areas.

• How has noise pollution been addressed in Light Rail Stage 1, and will it be the same process for Light Rail Stage 2?

The NCA provides planning approval for works in the Designated Areas in accordance with the National Capital Plan. Certification of construction as well as complying with required (noise pollution) standards is a matter for the ACT Government.

• Is the NCA aware of any feedback received about noise pollution along the Light Rail route?

No.

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