Released 01/03/2024
With construction work underway to extend the light rail network to Woden, the ACT Government is progressing with the next stages of the project.
An environmental referral to the Commonwealth Government to connect Commonwealth Park to Woden is now available for public comment.
Following the start of construction on the raising of London Circuit, and the contract signing for the extension of the network to Commonwealth Park, the Government is working towards a construction period of 2028-2033 for future stages of the project.
This is the most complicated infrastructure project the Territory Government has undertaken. It’s a once-in-a-generation asset for Canberra, and there are a number of unique steps required to deliver the project.
It will be the largest change to the landscape of the National Triangle since the construction of the New Parliament House, and a project that spans several districts of Canberra.
With Canberra’s population set to grow well beyond 500,000 in the coming years, we need to continue building a mass transit system that supports our growing city.
The project is critical for Canberra's future and will support the ACT’s long-term economic and jobs growth. Throughout the design and construction phase, we’re expecting light rail to Woden to create thousands of local jobs.
So far, the project has received very strong support from the Commonwealth Government, and I look forward to ongoing support as the project progresses through the future stages.
The next steps following the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) referral will be the development of a substantial Environmental Impact Statement where Canberrans will be encouraged to have their say on the features of stops in their suburb.
This process will occur this year with a final assessment to be delivered to the Commonwealth Government and submitted to the Australian Minister for the Environment and Water.
At the same time, construction work will ramp up on the extension to Commonwealth Park as the raising of London Circuit continues.
Canberrans can view the approvals and project tracker here: https://www.builtforcbr.act.gov.au/projects/transport/light-rail-to-woden.
The EPBC referral is available here: https://epbcpublicportal.awe.gov.au/open-for-comments/project-decision/?id=3a4e01da-5bd7-ee11-904c-6045bdc29959.
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases