Sydney Light Rail

Ms CLOVER MOORE (Sydney) [5.54 p.m.]: Tonight I wish to speak about a matter of great concern to my constituents. Global warming, peak oil, air pollution and traffic congestion require dramatic action to create a modern, state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable, mass transit system. Transport is the critical issue to make our city work for its residents, businesses, workers and visitors. But business as usual—cramming more buses into the city—is not sustainable. Sydney is at breaking point, unable to cope with traffic and choked by congestion and noise. A few minutes on city streets at peak hour will confirm a 2005 State Government report finding that bus movements on George Street and Elizabeth Street will reach capacity by 2011. Buses will not provide the passenger growth expected due to rising population and petrol prices, and they will not promote the growth vital for reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Unless we urgently invest in transport infrastructure, congestion and travel times will increase, and Sydney will lose investment, jobs, economic growth and quality of life. Sydney's global status will be threatened. I welcome the State Government's underground metro commitment but more is needed to address problems in the central business district. Light rail is the only viable and effective solution to inner Sydney's transport problems, as part of an integrated transport plan that coordinates public transport, as well as roads, pedestrians and cyclists. One light rail vehicle can replace three buses and produces less greenhouse gas per passenger. It is greener, quieter, faster, more reliable and more accessible, including to people with wheelchairs.

Passengers could transfer from a bus onto a faster, more reliable light rail service—just as they now transfer from buses to trains at Bondi Junction, Edgecliff, Parramatta and Chatswood. Peak bus journey times from Central to Circular Quay are 18 minutes. Light rail would travel this distance in 13 minutes, and traffic-light priority would reduce the time to only nine minutes. While public transport is a State responsibility, the city commissioned reports demonstrating light rail's viability. In his 2005 report renowned transport professional Garry Glazebrook calculated that light rail would lead to long-term savings in operating costs in contrast to buses. His proposal involved a light rail network of five major lines from the central business district to surrounding high-population residential areas, coordinated with heavy rail and buses to outer suburbs.

The city released two further reports by Hyder Consulting in June 2006 on the feasibility of a Castlereagh Street central business district extension, including to Barangaroo. Hyder and Glazebrook's research confirms that the route is viable from an engineering and patronage perspective. In December 2006 the city released a PricewaterhouseCoopers financial analysis. The figures show that light rail is financially viable with a subsidy of 99¢ per passenger, compared to the current Government payment of $6.03 per heavy rail and $1.19 per bus passenger. Extensive public consultation over the past two years on the city's local action plans and our Sustainable Sydney 2030 project confirms that light rail is a top priority for inner city residents, visitors, workers and businesses. Building on our consultations and international public space expert Jan Gehl's findings, the Sustainable Sydney 2030 project creates an exciting vision of a city reclaimed from traffic congestion and pollution for pedestrians and cyclists.

A new light rail loop along George Street, connecting Central station with Barangaroo and Circular Quay will open up a green and inviting central spine through the city, with new vibrant city squares at Circular Quay, Town Hall and Central. With that central loop linked to high quality transport interchanges and a network of light rail or underground metro through densely populated inner metropolitan areas including the planned underground metro links, Sydney would have real transport alternatives and be positioned to respond to global warming and enhance our global status. I welcome the State Government's recent announcement of its support for light rail in the city. More than 100 cities worldwide have already built new or expanded existing light rail networks. For example, in Adelaide the light rail service was extended through the city last year. It immediately became popular and the South Australian Premier announced further extensions.

The City of Sydney could provide $13.5 million toward public domain works associated with light rail. State and Federal governments could jointly fund the fixed infrastructure costs, with the operator paying light rail vehicle costs. Light rail could be built in the term of this Parliament. The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors is seeking a formal partnership with the Federal Government in areas vital to capital cities' sustainability, including transport infrastructure. Sixty-four per cent of the nation's population lives in capital cities and generates 78 per cent of the country's economic growth. The Federal Government has committed to a cities policy. I call on the State Government to work with the City of Sydney and the Federal Government to create a light rail network as part of a coordinated transport plan for inner Sydney to secure our city's liveability, sustainability and future economic viability.