“The tram is not just some harmless ‘virtue signalling’ by the Labor-Greens team that has governed Canberra for almost a generation… It is an irresponsible, outlandishly expensive absurdity,” writes “The Gadfly” columnist ROBERT MACKLIN.

The ABC has a policy, it seems, that no good news comes from China. So you’ll be forgiven if you missed the report from Shanghai that finally nailed the ACT government’s idiotic insistence on pursuing 19th century tram technology.

The tram is not just some harmless “virtue signalling” by the Labor-Greens team that has governed Canberra for almost a generation; nor is it simply the arrogance of unlimited power in an electorate where the Liberal opposition has been at the right-wing fringe dominated by the former Senator Zed Seselja. It is an irresponsible, outlandishly expensive absurdity.

It might have made some sense when Walter Burley Griffin included it in his 1912 plan, for a city of a maximum 10,000 inhabitants. Today, as the population closes in on 500,000 across a vast expanse of countryside, it is laughable… or would be if Canberrans were not wrestling grimly with government charges that have soared in a vain attempt to pay for the folly. 

Moreover, the latest revelation from the local press is that the government has sought up to $2 billion from “Middle East” sources to pay for more tram lines and some other infrastructure. 

In short, the place looks a mess, services are second rate and the horticultural and tree plantings throughout the city are crying out for help. 

So, here’s the short ABC report you missed: “At the Shanghai auto expo, a local company, CATL, unveiled a battery that could propel electric cars more than 1000 kilometres on a single charge. It could even power an electric aircraft. Their product will not only be used in road transport but all other forms of mobility including civil aviation.”

“Battery design is like a goldrush at the moment,” the report said, “as researchers push the boundaries of materials chemistry and develop lighter, longer lasting, safer, cheaper batteries that charge more quickly. 

“CATL plans to go into mass production later this year.” 

Of course, the benefits go well beyond Canberra – the EVs could make the trip from Sydney to Melbourne on a single charge; and since most folk don’t need that range, they’ll buy smaller batteries and cheaper cars. But, like so many other Canberrans, I am outraged that the tram is so expensive when there’s the certain prospect of silent, pollution-free buses with no expensive tracks, cars that cruise quietly and safely over well-tended roads.

And just as important, there would be enough left over to keep the capital, the horticultural showcase and climate change protector created by the great arboreal warriors Charles Weston (between 1913-26) and Lindsay Pryor (1945-58). 

As mentioned in an earlier column, I am currently engaged in the research and writing of Charles Weston’s biography – a wonderful character and a giant in his field. 

Much of the work has been in collaboration with the long-time forester and NCDC executive, John Gray, whose doctoral thesis on Weston is a brilliant academic achievement.

John has long been angered by the government’s neglect of Canberra’s protective “green mantle” throughout the city. With clean battery power there would be more than enough funding to retain the capital as the horticultural showcase created by Weston from 1913-26 and the other great arboreal warrior, Lindsay Pryor from 1945-58.

In short, Canberra’s premier example of a city’s arboreal character is suffering. It is an assault on the capital’s heritage. 

And as the chief minister plans to extend its reach across the lake to service yet another high-rise apartment cluster, it can only get worse. Who could ever have believed that the bar would be set so low?

robert@robertmacklin.com