LIGHT RAIL Subject Mentions and sample comments Contents Overview ................................................................................................................................................. 3 IN FAVOUR .............................................................................................................................................. 4 Alleviate traffic congestion and parking within the CBD .................................................................... 4 Improve access .................................................................................................................................... 5 Better links for the north and south ................................................................................................... 6 Link to the airport ............................................................................................................................... 7 Use current infrastructure .................................................................................................................. 8 Improved form of public transport ..................................................................................................... 9 Current public transport system is poor ........................................................................................... 10 Good future planning ........................................................................................................................ 11 Environment: .................................................................................................................................... 12 Works well in other cities ................................................................................................................. 13 AGAINST ................................................................................................................................................ 14 Unnecessary ...................................................................................................................................... 14 Waste of money ................................................................................................................................ 14 Population too small ......................................................................................................................... 14 Cost ................................................................................................................................................... 14 OTHER COMMENTS .............................................................................................................................. 15 OVERVIEW Total mentions - 4414 Total mentions in support of light rail - 3437 Total mentions opposing light rail - 977 Light rail would ease traffic issues 1657 Unnecessary/not needed 67 Improved form of public transport 1042 Waste of money 164 Good for the environment 319 Population too small 344 Current public transport is poor 102 Expensive/too costly 344 Good future planning 156 Would cause too much disruption 16 Good for Cairns 32 Bad idea 26 Works well in other cities 47 Already have public transport 60 Support economic growth 31 Requires further study 2 Improved access 210 Not Council responsibility 8 Assist tourism 313 People won’t use it 12 Use current infrastructure 168 Upgrade current public transport 33 Improved access northern beaches 182 Improved access to the airport 188 Improved access linking north and south 212 IN FAVOUR Alleviate traffic congestion and parking within the CBD: there were 1647 mentions that light rail in Cairns would provide an alternate transport option for people to use and therefore alleviate issues with traffic, including congestion and parking. Parking in the city is becoming difficult to find and early morning traffic congestion is also becoming an issue. The layout of cairns supports this mode of transport. Roads are becoming more and more congested. Because the traffic on the south side is getting more and more busier every day you drive it in peak hour traffic It would provide transport for the elderly, disabled and disadvantaged as well as tourists and it would clear up a lot of congestion on the roads and parking in the city. Because it is ridiculous to continue expanding roads!! The congestion is already unmanageable. Light rail would allow for new nodes to be established with facilities to assist computers ie: supermarket, post office; Childcare, parking. There spaces should also be bus stops. This would see bus routes expand into the suburbs and be more effective (bus routes are currently unnecessarily long). Light rail is essential. To ease traffic congestion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions Ease traffic congestion. Provide better transport options for tourists A well designed light rail system would ease traffic congestion, provide a more user friendly mode of transport and reduce the city's carbon emissions. Some cities such as Cairns appear to cater more for cars than people, with transport solutions usually concentrating on simply adding extra lanes or more roads to solve mobility problems. A well-designed light rail system would benefit many citizens who do not drive and tourists who are forced to use the current bus system, hire cars or taxies. I feel it would help with traffic. People would not have to drive into Cairns every day. Light rail will be very good because it is fast, clean and modern and will help with Cairns' congestion and make it easier to travel around the city To ease traffic congestion and city parking, can only be successful if there is a dramatic increase feeder transport to the terminal points. Reduce traffic congestion, more transport opportunities It would provide a good safe option for getting into town especially as our traffic congestion worsens Get some vehicles off the road, quicker, easier form of transportation, and bus service is lousy If there's a need for it - or projected need for it - why not? Especially if it manages traffic on the roads and encourages more incidental exercise walking to and from public transport. Improve access: 210 mentions related to light rail improving access to the CBD. The public transport in cairns is insufficient it would be useful for the elderly, parents with young children and the disabled It would make it easier to travel to outer suburbs I think it would be an effective form of transport for the city and surrounds. It would be fantastic to have it travel from Mirriwinni through to the Northern Beaches. It would enable more people to populate outside the city, including the elderly. It would also be a great form of family, tourist and local entertainment, especially if connected closely to Barlow Park, Cazaly's, the new Rectangular stadium, the Cairns Aquarium and the hospitals. At least then it would also work towards reducing traffic congestion. Of course, like everything, this would need to be well-looked after with all locals and visitors being able to access and use it safely and comfortably. Easier to get from the city to the beaches To increase availability & accessibility of public transport to reduce cars on the road I do not have my own transport and for me and others like me, also all our tourists, it would be a great advantage. Connect people hubs without cars Connecting outer areas of Cairns will be highly beneficial. It will improve easy access to CBD, shops etc. Will be attractive for tourists. It would be a great asset to Cairns for people that need transportation Because it would make the CBD more accessible and sustainable Improved access for those without vehicles Ease of CBD access to fringe areas, parking spots, airport etc. Easy access to the city without having to worry about parking Transport is the first key to getting people to live here. More access means more people will live in suburbs supported by it. Make is easier to get around Cairns in the wet season and also help with people trying to find a park To enable, elderly, tourists & especially many city workers, to move around in the heat/lunchtime without the need to waste time going to car park and then finding a car park for lunch time errands, should be from city to Hospital, esplanade to McLeod St at least. Easier access around the city plus a tourist attraction Better links for the north and south: There were 182 mentions related to light rail linking the northern beaches, and a further 276 mentions referring to light rail improving links between the south and north. Logical Gordonvale to Palm Cove transport to reduce road use, tourism For residents travelling from the north and south regions of Cairns Easier to get from the city to the beaches Would be great to connect Cairns City to the northern beaches Light rail servicing both the northern beaches and the southern suburbs would be excellent. we need fast (relibale!) transport from north to south in cairns. It is to far for a unreliable bussytem. Lower income families should not have to struggle because they cannot afford a car Living in the northern beaches it is evident that the infrastructure is not available to support the growth in outlying suburbs. Travelling 20km into the city at peak times can take in excess of an hour Getting around town without a car would be easier. Would be great to have it go out the Beaches. Light rail would greatly assist those in the northern suburbs with a safe journey to the city Cairns is a sprawling city which is probably only going to get bigger. We need to establish a transport system