Elise Archer MP

Making passenger rail & transport options a reality

Ben & Kristie Johnston’s passenger light rail proposal for Granton to Hobart was first presented to me in early 2009 when I was an Alderman of Hobart City Council.  Since then, we have continued to discuss their and my frustration at there being no action, just words on this proposal. 

As a result of my discussions with Ben and my work on the proposal, the State Liberal policy on light rail for the western shore rail corridor was released on 9 December 2009.

That announced that a Hodgman Liberal Government would task Infrastructure Tasmania (another Liberal initiative to be independent of DIER) with undertaking an implementation (optimisation) study on the battery powered train proposal, to run from Granton to Hobart. This expert body would then report back independently of Infrastructure Tasmania’s state-wide infrastructure plan within six (6) months of the 2010 State Election.

Rail infrastructure along this route already exists, but is grossly under-utilised. The completion of the ‘Brighton Transport Hub’ in coming years would totally eliminate freight trains from the route and free it up exclusively for light rail.

Our implementation study would have considered (amongst other things) the environmental, social and economic merits and impacts, and how other forms of public transport would integrate with rail to ensure maximum public usage.

The cities of Hobart and Glenorchy are in desperate need of accessible, affordable and timely transport.

As I believed the rail option deserved its own independent optimisation study, this in depth study (which Ben and Kristie Johnston had been calling for) would have been released by now under a Liberal Government.

When the State Government finally releases their latest study, all options for improved and integrated public transport facilities for the greater Hobart area should be included.

It is my firm view that we must plan for the future and not restrict travel to our existing transport corridors.