DRA has now received a reply from the ACT Government in response to the concerns we raised about the impact of Light Rail Stage 2B on the Parliamentary precinct.
We are pleased to note that the Minister’s letter addresses the issues we put forward. These were matters that we believe were overlooked in the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). We will now examine the forthcoming final EIS closely to see whether those concerns have been properly recognised and addressed.
In his response, Minister Chris Steel acknowledges the national significance of the Parliamentary Zone and the importance of protecting its heritage and environmental values. He states that the project is being developed in accordance with the National Capital Plan and that environmental and heritage assessments are being undertaken through the EIS process. He also says that a landscape-led approach is being used to minimise impacts and integrate the project more sensitively with its surroundings.
The Minister notes that the draft EIS considered impacts on biodiversity, heritage, traffic and transport, and landscape character. According to the letter, the project adopts an approach of avoiding and minimising impacts wherever possible, particularly in sensitive areas such as the Parliamentary precinct. Where impacts cannot be avoided, the Government says it intends to rely on measures such as heritage management procedures, construction environmental controls, rehabilitation works, and replacement planting.
The letter also confirms that community feedback during public exhibition of the draft EIS has informed revisions to the final EIS. One of the changes now identified is a shift from median running to inner running south of Sydney Avenue until the transition onto Adelaide Avenue. The Minister says this arrangement was assessed in the draft EIS and that it has a comparable footprint to the previous option, with a similar extent of impact because the road corridor would still need to be widened.
On traffic, the Minister acknowledges concerns about changes near Capital Circle and Adelaide Avenue. He says traffic signals at that intersection are considered necessary to integrate light rail safely with the existing road network and to address known safety issues. The letter further states that, while some changes to traffic conditions are expected, investigations indicate that average delays in peak periods are anticipated to be less than 10 seconds.
The Minister also states that Stage 2B remains a proposal and is still subject to assessment and determination under Commonwealth and ACT legislative processes. He says the final EIS will be made publicly available and that people who made submissions will be notified. The Government has also indicated that a comprehensive business case will be developed after planning approvals are completed and before any future investment decision is made.
DRA welcomes the fact that the Minister has directly addressed the concerns raised by residents. However, the key test will be whether the final EIS meaningfully reflects these issues and demonstrates that the heritage, landscape and environmental values of the Parliamentary precinct are being properly protected.
We will continue to review the material carefully as it becomes available and will keep residents informed.