A decision on light rail extensions for Sydney is closer after the State Government invited tenders for a feasibility assessment of several options.
The study will examine two options for a two-way light rail extension in the CBD.
The first option is a route along Sussex St, Hickson Road and George St which would connect Central Station with Barangaroo, the proposed “Headland Park”, Walsh Bay, Millers Point and Circular Quay.
A second option would be similar to the first but would create a loop by extending the track down George St to link Circular Quay with Central Station.
“The study will look at the costs, as well as well as demand, technical issues, integration with other public transport, operating costs and other impacts, to determine whether an extension is viable,’’ said the Minister for Transport and Roads, David Campbell.
Greens councillor Chris Harris said that light rail along George St would move people more efficiently than buses and would result in improved safety for pedestrians and reduced street noise.
Cr Harris also said he was not concerned about any possible inconvenience that the light rail could cause for other motorists. “I’d like to see cars out of the CBD full stop,” he said.
The study will also consider extending the light rail through the Inner West. The core route will run along the Rozelle goods line and options for termination at either Summer Hill or Dulwich Hill will be evaluated.
Deputy Lord Mayor Phillip Black said the City of Sydney Council has been advocating the extension of light rail since the 2004 elections and several studies have been completed to support their case. “The main hurdle has been the lack of acceptance by the State Government to light rail but it does appear that position is changing,” he said. “The other hurdle is funding.”
Metro Transport Sydney has previously estimated the cost of the entire extension to Dulwich Hill at less than $70 million and the light rail extension from Hay St to Circular Quay at $90 million, a small fraction of the $5.3 billion cost of the proposed Sydney Metro Stage 1.
The Council’s 2030 Sustainable Sydney policy has also proposed a link to Green Square which would eventually extend to Moore Park and Anzac Parade. In addition, lobby group Eco Transit has been advocating a light rail route running along Oxford St and down Anzac Parade to La Perouse for nearly 10 years.
“Oxford Street did have light rail and could again,” said Cr Black, but added that this would depend on viable route proposals and wide discussion.
The study is expected to take three months.
by Aaron Cook
