The following formal submission have been made public
Submitter: Greg Cornwell AMRaising of London Circuit
In your invitation for public comment on these works approval applications which will enable a future light rail project, you point out that that project itself "does not form part of this consultation process".
I submit however if these works approval applications proceed light rail to Woden is a fait accompli and therefore must be part of any consideration of the packages.
As has been repeatedly said the proposed Woden light rail is more expensive than new state-of-the-art buses, the tram is slower than a bus and buses have more flexibility not running upon fixed rails.
Why then is the ACT Labor/Green government pursuing this more expensive option?
Part of the answer, leaving aside the profitable Woden area development opportunities, lies in your opening statement that the works are designed to "release a number of city blocks ... for future development".
Surely this can be achieved - if needed - without this massive overall cost and equally massive disruption and chaos over many years to commuters travelling from southside Canberra to Civic?
It is not alarmist to suggest the duration of time for the raising of London Circuit and the Vernon Circuit temporary works will destroy much of the private enterprise business in Civic and the duration of the packages themselves will be longer than proposed due to unforeseen factors, not to mention cost increases.
The environmental cost is not easy to judge but new plantings will not replace existing mature trees or open spaces with new demands in Civic.
This whole ideological proposal is an extravagant waste of money with cheaper alternative options available and should be abandoned immediately before more public finance is expended.
I submit however if these works approval applications proceed light rail to Woden is a fait accompli and therefore must be part of any consideration of the packages.
As has been repeatedly said the proposed Woden light rail is more expensive than new state-of-the-art buses, the tram is slower than a bus and buses have more flexibility not running upon fixed rails.
Why then is the ACT Labor/Green government pursuing this more expensive option?
Part of the answer, leaving aside the profitable Woden area development opportunities, lies in your opening statement that the works are designed to "release a number of city blocks ... for future development".
Surely this can be achieved - if needed - without this massive overall cost and equally massive disruption and chaos over many years to commuters travelling from southside Canberra to Civic?
It is not alarmist to suggest the duration of time for the raising of London Circuit and the Vernon Circuit temporary works will destroy much of the private enterprise business in Civic and the duration of the packages themselves will be longer than proposed due to unforeseen factors, not to mention cost increases.
The environmental cost is not easy to judge but new plantings will not replace existing mature trees or open spaces with new demands in Civic.
This whole ideological proposal is an extravagant waste of money with cheaper alternative options available and should be abandoned immediately before more public finance is expended.
Temporary works on Vernon Circle
See above