Light rail gets the green light - first stage to run from University of NSW to the CBD. EXCLUSIVE by Andrew Clennell The Daily Telegraph December 06, 2012 12:00AM.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/l ... 6530812380


A STAGED construction of a light rail line from the University of NSW in Randwick to the CBD is expected to be announced, with a second line from Central to George St to be part two of the project.

Premier Barry O'Farrell will announce next week that work will start at the university and go to Central Station, followed by a commitment to build light rail from Central through George St to Circular Quay.

The plan is expected to go to cabinet next week. There now seems little hope of Infrastructure NSW's Nick Greiner and Paul Broad's idea of building a $2 billion bus tunnel under George St - instead of light

rail. While Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian was told to find savings for her George St light rail project, she is understood to be winning the argument.


The announcement will be seen as a compromise option which would keep Ms Berejiklian and Lord Mayor Clover Moore happy but avoid digging up Sydney during the next election.

The Transport Minister and Transport for NSW's preference had been for work to begin at the Quay - in George St - and make its way through to Central. But many in the cabinet, including Roads Minister

Duncan Gay, are opposed to light rail down George St amid fears it could create even further congestion. There were also concerns another capital project would put the state's AAA credit rating at risk.

Ms Moore has promised $180 million towards the project if the George St leg goes ahead.


Government sources said the idea would be to start construction of the railway at UNSW and for it to travel to Randwick Racecourse and the SCG, then on to Central. After that, a second leg could be built

down George St to the Quay. The announcement of the new light rail line is expected to be part of the government's response to Infrastructure NSW's State Infrastructure Strategy, the Metro Strategy and

Ms Berejiklian's Long Term Transport Masterplan. University of NSW vice-chancellor Fred Hilmer urged the Premier to go with the Randwick-to-Central project first. "Analysis shows the two projects should

be considered independently," he said. "Less than 1 per cent of staff and students coming to UNSW commence their journey in the CBD - 85 per cent start from areas outside the eastern, CBD and inner-west

suburbs, making Central Station by far the most important interchange point. "We have the spine for the proposed light rail to Randwick and the University."

The Inspector wrote:They never got rid of any light rail as they never had any, the current light rail line is the first in Sydney. The original tram network would not be considered as light rail, it was simply a tram network.

Albion Victor wrote:Hmmmm, seems to me that I can remember there being quite a network of "light rail", (Tram), lines servicing these very areas in ye olden days, removed by the politicians because buses could do the job cheaper! I suppose if you live long enough you see it all!

Stu wrote:Roads Minister Duncan Gay is not happy. The job description of the roads mInister portfolio must be to oppose any progression of public transport, even if you're own party is trying to implement an improvement with public transport. Duncan Gay doesn't answer to the people of the state or his party, he answers to his masters inside the roads lobby.

tonyp wrote:It's curious that his concern is congestion in the CBD but isn't that congestion caused largely by cars coming into the CBD? What are cars doing coming into the CBD anyway, that's a job for PT. The answer staring him in the face is to get cars out of the CBD.

iDionz wrote:Yeah they're stupid for getting rid of the light rail, but then it did bring the opera house which is a Sydney icon!

simonl wrote:Does Gladys read ATDB? A few things which have been proposed on here seem to have been implemented.

moa999 wrote:Good news.
The alignment from Central to Moore Park will be interesting.

The Telegraph map appears to suggest Devonshire or Belvoir.
Would also be interesting to see if they use Chalmers as the terminus, or maybe repurpose platforms 26/27

Fleet Lists wrote:I am sure some of her advisers do keep an eye on this board.

Stu wrote:Roads Minister Duncan Gay is not happy. The job description of the roads mInister portfolio must be to oppose any progression of public transport, even if you're own party is trying to implement an improvement with public transport. Duncan Gay doesn't answer to the people of the state or his party, he answers to his masters inside the roads lobby.

moa999 wrote:Good news.
The alignment from Central to Moore Park will be interesting.

The Telegraph map appears to suggest Devonshire or Belvoir.
Would also be interesting to see if they use Chalmers as the terminus, or maybe repurpose platforms 26/27

moa999 wrote:Good news.
The alignment from Central to Moore Park will be interesting.

The Telegraph map appears to suggest Devonshire or Belvoir.
Would also be interesting to see if they use Chalmers as the terminus, or maybe repurpose platforms 26/27