What the Tasmanian Liberals will do:

Undertake an implementation study into the concept of establishing a regular, passenger light rail service between Granton and Hobart.

Light rail offers significant social and environmental benefits for the people of Hobart and surrounds.

A number of proposals for public transport for greater Hobart have been put forward. One exciting proposal is for a battery-powered, 24 minute service from Granton to Hobart, utilising existing rail infrastructure and with stops including New Town, Moonah, Glenorchy, Berriedale and Claremont, terminating at Mawson Place in the city.

Much work in relation to this proposal has already been undertaken by the private sector. In addition, this study will take into consideration the as yet unreleased Major Urban Public Transport Study.

A Hodgman Liberal Government will task Infrastructure Tasmania with undertaking an implementation study on the light rail battery powered light train proposal for Hobart, to report back independently of Infrastructure Tasmania’s state-wide infrastructure plan, within six months of the election.

The study will also consider how other forms of public transport integrate with light rail.

If regarded by Infrastructure Tasmania as achievable, the Hobart light rail proposal will be included in Tasmania’s state‐wide infrastructure plan, to be completed by the end of 2010.

Why this policy is needed
The City of Glenorchy and the northern suburbs of Hobart are in desperate need of accessible, affordable and timely public transport.

Urban growth over recent years has changed the nature of the Brooker Highway by adding a large number of traffic lights and other traffic control measures. As a result, often at peak hour, travel to and from Hobart’s northern suburbs can take up to an hour.

While there is an existing Metro bus system servicing Hobart’s northern suburbs timetabling and scheduling requirements are inadequate to cater to the needs of the approximately 50,000 people living in the suburbs of New Town and Moonah and the City of Glenorchy and surrounds.

Rail infrastructure along this route already exists, but is 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.

Transport disadvantage leads to social disadvantage. Not only would a light rail service provide transport and environmental benefits, it would help alleviate social disadvantage in Hobart’s northern suburbs.

After 11 years of Labor...
Labor has had 11 years to come up with a plan to improve public transport options in greater Hobart and has failed to do so. While Labor did belatedly commission a study into urban public transport in Hobart, it is unclear whether this study examines the possibility of light rail in Hobart’s northern suburbs because the Government has steadfastly refused to release it, despite it being due for completion in eight months ago.