The Chief Minister says light rail won’t reach Woden until 2033.

In a media release titled “Next steps on light rail to Woden”, Andrew Barr reveals that construction of Stage 2B will take five years and won’t start until 2028.

With no allusion to costs, the treasurer says: “This is the most complicated infrastructure project the territory government has undertaken.”

The announced timing pushes the controversial issue beyond the next term of government and perhaps out of the heat from this year’s ACT election in October.

“It’s a once-in-a-generation asset for Canberra, and there are a number of unique steps required to deliver the project,” he says.

“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.”

He describes the project as “critical” for Canberra’s future and that it will support the ACT’s long-term economic and jobs growth.

“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,” he says.

“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.”