Light Rail Network Plan
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TRANSPORT CANBERRA LIGHT RAIL NETWORK Delivering a modern transport system for a growing city LIGHT RAIL NETWORK A modern transport system for a growing city INTRODUCTION Minister Mick Gentleman The ACT Government is planning for Canberra’s “Infrastructure like light rail helps relieve transition into a significant world city. One that congestion and makes our cities and regional not only celebrates its status as the world’s most towns more liveable.” liveable city today, but one that actively builds on The population will be healthier when more people its current sound foundations and opportunities to walk or ride to and from their public transport stop. promote its world class status in the future. Light rail will support increased growth in centres Therefore, as our city grows we will continue and along transport corridors, which is necessary to support and promote an integrated public to house our growing population without changing transport network to encourage people to the unique character of our established suburbs. leave their car at home. An integrated transport network with light rail at its heart is fundamental This work considers how we could extend light to that strategy. rail across Canberra in the future. Because of the synergies between different public transport Light rail is integral to ACT Government planning, modes, it also explores where we could build transport, climate change and health strategies. demand for bus priority lanes or bus rapid transit More people using public transport like light rail to support light rail over time. and buses will help reduce congestion on our roads and greenhouse gas emissions. I look forward to hearing your views. Your opinions and comments on future light rail Across Australia and around the world, light corridors are important to help us finalise the rail is a proven solution. At a national level, Transport Canberra - Light Rail Network. Prime Minister Turnbull recently observed WHAT IS THE TRANSPORT CANBERRA NETWORK? The Transport Canberra Network is the ACT for building convenient and reliable light rail across Government’s vision for a modern transport our city. system that showcases Canberra as a prosperous, sustainable and liveable city. The Transport Canberra - Light Rail Network builds on the Transport for Canberra Frequent The Transport Canberra - Light Rail Network shows Network and future growth identified in the future stages of the light rail network. It is a 25-year ACT Planning Strategy. vision that highlights the opportunities and drivers 4 Transport Canberra – Light Rail Network CANBERRA IS GROWING Population Dwellings Cars Canberra’s population is projected to increase over Current: 390,000 Current: 153,900 Current: 255,000 the next two decades from 390,000 to over 500,000. With the highest car dependency of any Australian 2013 capital city, our growing population will mean more 2013 2013 cars on our roads and more congestion. The world’s best and most liveable cities all have excellent integrated transport networks, designed and planned in tandem with land use to create walkable, people-friendly communities with a 2041 2041 2041 range of transport options. Growing Canberra around a reliable public transport network will guide our city to become +45% +49% +45% increasingly more sustainable,Future: compact 553,000 and well Future: 229,000 Future: 367,500 connected, maintaining the world class standard of living experienced by Canberrans. Population PopulationDwellings Dwellings Cars Cars Current: 390,000 Current: 390,000Current: 153,900 Current: 153,900Current: 255,000 Current: 255,000 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2041 2041 2041 2041 2041 2041 +45% +45% +49% +49% +45% +45% Future: 553,000 Future: 553,000Future: 229,000 Future: 229,000Future: 367,500 Future: 367,500 Transport Canberra – Light Rail Network 5 LEADING INVESTMENT FOR A GROWING CITY Canberra’s light rail network will be built as found that without additional investment, the cost ‘leading infrastructure’. of road congestion in the ACT will increase from $208 million per annum in 2011 to $703 million per We will invest in corridors where we know there is annum in 2031. a future need. We will also use light rail as demand- driving infrastructure to help shape the way the city Capital Metro is bringing the first stage of light rail grows with higher density and more compact urban to the area where our city is already experiencing form along light rail corridors. By coordinating our significant growth and congestion. The City to planning and key projects to support development Gungahlin corridor is developing at a rapid rate. in each corridor, we can stimulate economic and Capital Metro will be developed to meet the social activity across our city. demands of this corridor well into the future. We cannot leave public transport investment until We will develop a business case for each traffic delays reach unacceptable levels and impose corridor to guide the timing and extent of future high social, environmental and economic costs to investments and to help the highest priorities. the community. The ACT Government will also work with the Commonwealth Government to develop potential The Australian Infrastructure Audit Report partnership funding arrangements for high priority prepared by Infrastructure Australia (May 2015) corridors of mutual interest. Canberra’s growing population (’000) Canberra’s growing travel congestion costs (year) 900 $750 900000 million 800 800000 $703m# 700007000 600006000 $500 million 500005000 Growth range 400004000 300 $250 300000 # million $208m $110m* 200002000 100001000 0 $0 1961 1981 2001 2021 2041 2061 20012001 20112011 20212021 20312031 # Infrastructure Australia 2015 * Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics 2005 6 Transport Canberra – Light Rail Network 25 YEAR GROWTH FORECASTS +33% +63% +47% GUNGAHLIN +58% +159% +108% B a r to n H ig hw a y y a hw i g H al BELCONNEN der Fe NORTH e riv CANBERRA D y a +44% +90% +67% n w i l k h r a a P g n u a r G u j es rk a Pa M Way +51% +98% 0% MOLONGLO AIRPORT VALLEY Adelaide Avenue C anb r oa WESTON CREEK & e e R d r tt SOUTH r a Co WODEN VALLEY CANBERRA Avenue +26% +44% +43% indm Drive y H a rsh +26% +46% +19% a w k r a P QUEANBEYAN g n o n a r e g g u T y a w h ig H o r a n o TUGGERANONG M LEGEND e +24% +34% +8% v ri D a JOBS * Th a r w RETAIL m2* DWELLINGS * DISTRICT BOUNDARY MAJOR ROAD ARTERIAL ROAD * ACT Government Projections Transport Canberra – Light Rail Network 7 8 Transport Canberra – Light Rail Network LIGHT RAIL - TRANSFORMATIVE, DEMAND-DRIVING INFRASTRUCTURE Light rail is recognised as far more than just a way • Stimulating suburban renewal - High levels to move around a city. Experience in over 400 cities of amenity in our suburbs and quality public worldwide has shown that efficient and reliable transport connections will support the renewal light rail solutions can transform cities into more of the city, town centres and other key centres, prosperous, sustainable and liveable places. as well as along transport corridors. Research has found that people will walk further • Increasing economic activity - Significant to use light rail and that it has a strong ability to commercial opportunities arise near light rail catalyse urban renewal along transport corridors. stops, taking advantage of passenger traffic and increased housing density nearby, to grow and In many cities, light rail has successfully integrated diversify the economy. with the fabric of the city to create a more liveable space for all sections of the community. When • Reducing Canberra’s high level of car part of a convenient and well-integrated transport dependency - Providing high quality public system, light rail provides for high levels of access transport connections allows people to and mobility across cities. Light rail helps to shape make more choices about their car usage more compact, walkable and liveable cities, with and purchases. vibrant community spaces and places. • Providing efficient environmentally responsible public transport - Encouraging a shift from Light rail will have a transformative effect in private vehicles to public transport reduces Canberra by: overall emissions, particularly as light rail will also be powered by electricity generated from • Revitalising our urban centres and supporting 100% renewable sources. active lifestyles - Light rail will encourage a higher proportion of Canberra’s population growth in centres and public transport corridors, which helps our local economy, health and wellbeing. Transport Canberra – Light Rail Network 9 FUTURE TRANSPORT CANBERRA The Light Rail Network (LRN) shows future stages Tuggeranong to Woden of light rail for Canberra. It also explains some of (Athllon Corridor) the opportunities and drivers for building on our Significant public transit corridor for the future with immediate transport network in a manner that supports future focus on active travel and rapid bus services conversion to light rail. Build as a viable alternative to private car travel on orbital parkways Gungahlin to City (first stage) Reinforces Tuggeranong town centre identity and supports Mawson, Wanniassa and Kambah group centres One of the busiest and fastest growing corridors in Canberra Investment leads urban renewal and development along the Business case shows a positive return for the corridor at transit nodes Canberra community Enhance accessibility through additional Park and Rides at Blue Rapid connections A major opportunity to showcase investment leading urban