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Canberra Today 15°/16° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

The DAs are in for the start of light rail

SIMON Corbell says stage one of Canberra’s light rail network has reached a significant milestone with the lodging of two development applications.

“Capital Metro Agency has lodged applications for both the base case from City to Gungahlin and the optional light rail extension to Russell,” Simon said.

Both applications are now available to be viewed online.

“Canberra’s light rail has reached another milestone in lodging these two development applications.

“The plans have been developed by Capital Metro and world-class engineering and design firms Arup and Hassell. They detail everything from construction management, demolition and earthworks plans, landscape management, light rail vehicles, utilities, roads and traffic arrangements, detailed site plans and much more.”

“If approved, the DA for stage one will allow construction on territory land. A works approval will need to be lodged at a later date with the National Capital Authority for work to be undertaken on designated land under the National Capital Plan.

“Lodging a DA for the territory controlled land along the potential extension of stage one to Russell will allow for work to progress in a timely manner if the government decides to include the extension in stage one.

“Should the decision be made to extend light rail to Russell, gaining DA approval would place the project in the best position to proceed to construction without delay.

“The two shortlisted consortia have submitted separate bids that include the option to extend stage one of the light rail network to Russell. When evaluating the bids to select a preferred consortium, the ACT Government will evaluate the economic merits of the Russell extension.

“The proposed Russell extension has received strong support from the local business industry and ACT community. It is expected to increase patronage of the light rail service by more than 30 per cent and would provide a link to the CBD to thousands of employees working within the Constitution Avenue corridor and around the Defence precinct.

“From Russell we would be perfectly placed to extend to other key parts of our city, including the airport, the parliamentary triangle and other destinations south of the lake.”

Feedback on the applications, which include many intricate, detailed drawings of the proposed developments, can be made at planning.act.gov.au.

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