PTCBR  Woden  Light  Rail  consultation  –  Session  One     Observations  and  outcomes   PTCBR   held   an   initial   consultation   session   on   Woden   light   rail   at   the   Woden   Library   on   3   April   2017.   The   session   was   facilitated   by   PTCBR   Chair   Damien   Haas   and   Deputy   Chair   Robert   Knight,   and   attended   by   three   committee   members   and   six   PTCBR   members.   Initial   results   were   posted   to   the   PTCBR   Facebook   group,   and   further   comments   were   provided  that  are  incorporated  in  this  summary.     This  summary  contains  key  findings  of  participants  views,  light  rail  stop  suggestions  and   general  comments  about  Woden  light  rail  stage  two.     Background   The  ACT  Government  went  to  the  October  2016  Election  with  a  Woden  Light  Rail  plan,   that   when   completed   would   create   a   25   kilometer   light   rail   spine   from   Gungahlin   to   Woden,  via  Civic  and  the  Parliamentary  Triangle.     This   decision   was   made   following   community   consultation   around   the   2016   Light   Rail   Network  Plan  that  identified  four  possible  stage  two  light  rail  options.  The  Woden  option   was  selected  as  the  most  popular,  and  viable  second  stage.     Recently,   contracts   for   a   business   case   and   engineering   studies   were   awarded.   The   Light   Rail  Network  Plan  stresses  that  construction  will  proceed  if  a  business  case  can  be  made.   TCCS   have   indicated   that   community   consultation   on   the   Woden   light   rail   will   begin   mid   2017.   PTCBR   as   the   leading   public   transport   lobby   group   in   the   Canberra   region   have   taken  an  early  start  and  held  an  initial  meeting  of  its  members,  in  Woden,  to  gauge  initial   ideas  around  the  light  rail  route  from  Civic  to  Woden.   This   initial   consultation   session   has   generated   valuable   ideas   that   can   aid   TCCS   as   it   prepares  a  business  case  and  plans  the  route  and  light  rail  stop  locations.     Woden  light  rail  business  case  and  urban  renewal   Woden   will   benefit   greatly   from   light   rail   and   the   economic   benefits   it   will   bring   from   Transit   Oriented   Development   are   a   major   component   of   any   business   case   for   light   rail.   Providing   greater   transport   options   will   bring   more   people   into   the   town   centre   and   increase  its  utility  as  a  transport  hub.     The   Woden   Town   Centre   is   shabby   with   stagnant   business   growth.   To   reverse   this   the   ACT  government  is  priming  the  economy  with  a  transfer  of  employees  from  Civic,  but  the   private   sector   is   lagging   on   similar   employment   investments.   Land   banking   awaiting   a   Belconnen  like  lift  in  residential  building  has  hampered  activation,  as  has  a  community   council  opposed  to  tall  buildings.  The  town  centre  is  dominated  by  a  mall  that  has  very   little  after  hours  life  and  splits  the  town  centre  in  two.    

 

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One   participant   in   the   consultation   session   observed   that   Woden   was   like   a   sea   of   carparks   with   large   buildings   that   were   all   closed   at   night.   Using   light   rail   and   active   transport  options  will  bring  about  a  greater  sense  of  walkability  and  pedestrian  friendly   feel.   Prioritising   walkability   over   drivability   will   attract   people   to   want   to   live   and   recreate  in  the  town  centre,  instead  of  leaving  it  for  somewhere  else.   A   comprehensive   Woden   Town   Centre   Master   plan   has   been   prepared,   with   precinct   codes   currently   being   enacted.   This   will   enable   a   higher   level   of   mixed-­‐use   residential   buildings,  bringing  new  business  and  more  residents  directly  into  the  town  centre.  This  is   the  same  model  used  successfully  in  Belconnen.     Light   rail   and   its   proven   ability   to   attract   Transit   Oriented   Development   will   provide   a   visible   sign   for   business   to   replicate   the  government’s   investment.   The   advantages   will   radiate   out   from   the   town   centre,   and   benefit   suburbs   adjacent   to   Adelaide   Avenue   and   services   and   trades   areas,   such   as   Philip.   Light   rail   will   also   provide   greater   access   to   these  areas,  and  open  up  non-­‐car  transport  options.  The  opportunity  to  promote  cycling   and   light   rail   use,   by   good   quality   secure   bike   lockers   and   well   lit   cycle   paths   will   encourage  residents  to  change  their  travel  mode,  as  well  as  enhancing  livability.       Private   owners   of   local   centres   will   be   encouraged   to   invest   in   upgrades,   to   cater   for   increased   patronage   driven   by   light   rail   passengers.   Park   and   Ride,   bike   and   ride   and   integrated  bus  stops  at  local  centres  will  benefit  all  sectors  of  the  community.     The  route  through  Barton  from  Civic  will  provide  a  viable  alternative  to  the  private  car   for   the   majority   of   full   time   employees.   This   will   enhance   the   already   strong   local   bus   services,  and  provide  a  direct  trip  from  Gungahlin  or  Woden  for  employees.     Although   the   land   uplift   opportunities   for   the   ACT   Government   directly   along   the   corridor   are   not   in   the   same   scale   as   that   along   the   Northbourne   Flemington   corridor,   there   are   significant   opportunities   for   urban   renewal   by   private   investors,   and   the   opportunity   to   expand   local   centres   along   the   route.   This   is   in   line   with   the   long-­‐term   aim  of  transforming  Canberra  into  a  compact  city,  with  growth  along  transport  corridors.     Future  actions     PTCBR   were   encouraged   by   the   strong   interest   for   this   initial   consultation   session   and   will   provide   session   outcomes   to   TCCS.   Further   consultation   sessions   are   planned,   including  possible  collaborations  with  community  councils  and  TCCS.     The   feedback   and   comments   collated   in   this   initial   consultation   session   are   presented   in   Attachment  A,  light  rail  stop  suggestions  are  also  in  Attachment  A.  Photographs  of  the   maps   used   during   the   consultation   session   (with   stickynote   comments   attached)   are   provided  in  Attachment  B.     Damien  Haas   Chair,  PTCBR   10  April  2017  

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Attachment  A   The  key  take-­‐aways  from  the  first  consultation  session   Assessing  the  feedback,  comments  and  observations,  these  were  the  key  points  made:     • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The  route  from  Civic  to  Barton  was  straight  forward,  with  a  major  stop  at  Albert  Hall   seen  as  logical.     No  clear  preference  on  light  rail  out  of  Civic  via  London  Circuit  or  directly  through   Capital  Hill  was  identified,  although  stops  needed  to  be  closer  than  a  kilometer  apart   The  route  through  the  triangle  to  Adelaide  Avenue  had  several  different  options,  and   really  needed  to  be  examined  in  an  NCA  and  engineering  context.   Any  route  needed  to  focus  on  the  Barton  workforce  for  light  rail  stops.   A  route  around  the  lake  foreshore  to  Yarraumla  and  Cotter  Road  could  be  looked  at.   A  tunnel  under  Parliament  House,  with  a  light  rail  station  there  was  suggested.   A  direct  route  along  Adelaide  Avenue  was  preferred  over  a  route  that  in  the  suburbs.     Going  through/over/under  the  roundabout  directly  into  Callam  Street  was  preferred.   A  light  rail  station  at  the  bus  interchange  in  the  Woden  Town  Centre  was  preferred   Major  upgrades  to  cycling/walking  paths  near  light  rail  stops  would  be  needed.   Fewer  light  rail  stops  than  the  Gungahlin  stage,  but  better  integrated  as  bus  stations   with  services.   Park  and  Ride  with  retail  services  would  be  needed.   Bike  and  Ride  with  secure  bike  lockers  would  be  needed.   Linking  cycle  paths  with  light  rail  stations  was  a  priority.   More  frequent  local  bus  services,  especially  linking  the  hospitals  (Deakin  based   private  and  Canberra  Hospital)  and  TAFE  with  light  rail.     Express  services  from  Woden  stopping  at  Parliament  would  be  a  good  idea.  

Light  Rail  stops  –  suggested  locations   Participants  were  very  aware  of  the  different  density  along  the  Adelaide  Avenue/Yarra   Glen  route  compared  to  the  Northbourne  Flemington  route.  This  led  to  the  suggestion  of   fewer,  larger  stops  with  a  focus  on  park  and  ride/bike  and  ride  and  services.  The  stops  in   Civic  and  Barton  were  also  discussed. London  Cct/Ainslie  Place  

Capital  Circle/Parliament  House  

London  Cct/Constitution  Ave    

Barton    

Commonwealth  Ave/Albert  Place    

Parliament  House  

State  Circle/Sydney  Avenue    

Adelaide  Avenue/Hopetoun  Circuit  

State  Circle/Melbourne  Ave  

Adelaide  Avenue/Kent    

Commonwealth  Ave/park  (offpeak  stop   for  tourist/events)    

Yarra  Glen/Carruthers  

Commonwealth  Ave  -­‐  Albert  Hall  

Callam  St  Bus  Interchange Mawson

Athlon  Dr  Phillip    

Callam/Launceston  

     

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Comments  by  participants  of  the  consultation  session   Participants   were   invited   to   make   comments   on   stickynotes.   The   facilitators   also   recorded   comments   made   during   the   session.   PTCBR   members   that   were   unable   to   attend  in  person  provided  feedback  on  a  Facebook  post  about  the  session.     • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Light  rail  not  necessarily  the  last  mile   Maximize  patronage  or  access?   Park  and  Ride  connected  to  local  shops   Around  or  under  parliament?   Guaranteed  connections  bus/light  rail   Express  services?  Stop  twice.   Bus  waits  for  light  rail   Bypass  options  to  allow  express  services   Promote,  promote,  promote  services!   Bike  lockers/active  transport   Priming  the  engine  of  economic  renewal   Linkage  to  bike  paths  a  priority   Maximise  catchment  and  patronage   Interface  between  pedestrians  and  light  rail   Creative  solutions  to  pedestrian  safety,  don’t  just  default  to  fences   Good  design  –  public  safety   Replicate  successful  Civic  signage   Deakin  medical  precinct   Public  transport  in  Canberra  presently  a  commuter  service,  not  a  universal  system.   Accessing  and  linking  hospitals.   Route  choice  hospital  or  Woden  Town  Centre   Active  transport  linkages   Urbanity   Late  night  running  services   Callam  Street  to  be  widened  for  light  rail,  as  it  is  in  the  Woden  Master  Plan   Later  evening  services   Potential  for  land  value  uplift   Later  weekday  evening  and  weekend  services  in  evening   Decorations  on  bus  and  light  rail  vehicles  attractive  to  kids   Creating  a  spine  for  a  network  of  public  and  active  transport  

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Replace  the  open  air  car  parks  with  a  mixture  of  multi  story  car  parks  high  density   housing  and  office  blocks.   Place  a  couple  of  stops  in  strategic  locations  where  there  is  pedestrian   connectivity  to  nearby  offices  and  attractions.   LR  should  proceed  around  Parliament  House  on  the  DFAT  side  this  allows   connections  with  a  later  stage  down  Canberra  Ave.   A  Canberra  Avenue  alignment  from  State  Circle  seems  so  logical.   You’re  going  to  get  more  patronage  by  going  to  the  office  areas  in   Barton/Forrest.    

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Run  the  light  rail  either  on  State  Circle  or  in  a  dedicated  alignment  immediately   outside  it  between  about  Commonwealth  Avenue  and  Canberra  Avenue   (reverting  to  the  road  beyond  that  as  the  buildings  aren't  set  back).     Utilising  Vernon  Circle  and  State  Circle  should  be  considered  more  appropriate   than  down  London  Circuit  towards  Capital  Circuit.   Vernon  and  State  Circles  show  great  potential  and  could  present  multiple   opportunities  for  future  lines.   Melrose  Drive  to  Athlon  perhaps?   A  second  line  from  Yarra  Glen  to  Yamba  Drive  past  the  hospital  then  on  to   Hindmarsh  Drive  then  Athlon/Callum   Utilising  Hindmarsh  Drive  could  also  provide  future  potential  for  a  line  towards   Fyshwick  or  Weston  Creek.   Using  the  eastern  side  of  State  Circle  for  both  directions  around  Parliament   House.  It  has  the  opportunity  to  serve  a  huge  number  of  commuters  in  that  area,   as  well  as  some  tourism.  

 

 

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Attachment  B  -­‐  Comments  on  maps  used  during  consultation  session   Participants  at  the  consultation  session  were  provided  with  sticky  note  pads  and   invited  to  affix  their  ideas  directly  to  maps  of  the  Woden  and  Barton  areas.  

 

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