Page 644 - Week 02 - Thursday, 20 March 2014
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extra 30,000 to 40,000 people living in this corridor, with the highest rate of growth of any part of the city, buses are still going to cut it. We disagree. And we have very clear analysis that demonstrates the capacity of light rail to achieve a level of uplift and a level of urban development that goes far beyond that which has ever been achieved through bus rapid transit.
We are getting on with the job of delivering this project, because the time for debates about BRT and LRT is over. We have had those debates. We have had them ad nauseam. In the past we have had those on that side of this chamber saying they do not even support bus rapid transit. Now all of a sudden, they are the great champions of bus rapid transit. They were not the champions of bus rapid transit when the government proposed it between Belconnen and the city. Now they are not the champions of light rail transit, when in the past you, Madam Speaker, have been a very strong advocate on behalf of your party for light rail transit.
So let us be really clear about this. The time for that debate is over. The time for the delivery of this project is now, and that is the focus of the government. (Time expired.)
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Minister, what land uplift have you identified that could not also occur for bus rapid transit?
MR CORBELL: Significant land uplift. The Capital Metro Agency is now, through the appointment of Arup as our technical consultants—led by a team, a consortium—
Mr Coe interjecting—
MR CORBELL: of consultancies which includes a broad range of Canberra firms, undertaking the final phase of detailed analysis around questions such as uplift which will inform the final case—
Mr Coe interjecting—
MR CORBELL: that will go to government and ultimately to the market on these questions. There is no doubt that the outcomes associated with investment in light rail transit will exceed those that are capable of being delivered through bus rapid transit. There is no doubt. The preliminary assessment confirms those decisions.
Mr Coe interjecting—
MR CORBELL: Mr Coe can pick one report, but what he fails to understand—
Mr Coe interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, Mr Coe!
MR CORBELL: is the capacity of this project to make a real difference to the future growth and development of our city.
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