The Deakin Residents Association invites residents and interested members of the public to join a second community walk to better understand the potential impacts of Light Rail Stage 2B on the Parliamentary Precinct.

While much public attention has focused on the proposed tunnel and “dog-leg” alignment on the eastern side of Parliament House, other aspects of the current proposal have received far less scrutiny. In particular, there are growing concerns about the proposed State Circle route on the western side of the Parliamentary Precinct.

The walk will include:

• A shorter return route of approximately 1.5 km to the area proposed for traffic lights at the top of Adelaide Avenue and associated tree loss near The Lodge
• An extended walk of approximately 3 km continuing around the Parliament House perimeter bushland

The DRA believes many Canberra residents remain unaware of the scale of the likely impacts. Participants in an earlier inspection walk were surprised to discover how much native bushland could be affected and the extent of bridge and engineering works likely to be required beneath Federation Mall and across State Circle.

Key concerns include:

• Impacts on heritage and environmental values within the Parliamentary Precinct
• Delays and increased travel times caused by traffic lights at the top of Adelaide Avenue and an additional set on State Circle
• The loss of trees and native bushland opposite The Lodge
• Damage to the circular bushland perimeter that was a defining feature of the original award-winning Parliament House design
• Major construction disruption in one of Canberra’s most important national landscapes

Recent ACT Government statements have heightened these concerns. In particular, proposals for “an inner-running track between Sydney and Adelaide Avenues to keep light rail off median strips” raise questions about whether tracks would pass directly through the nationally significant bushland perimeter surrounding Parliament House.

That landscape was not accidental. The bushland ring around Parliament House was a central element of the original design concept, intended to visually connect Capital Hill with the surrounding landscape and frame the national institutions within a natural setting. Any substantial intrusion into this perimeter deserves careful public examination.

The financial implications are also becoming harder to ignore. Stage 2B may ultimately cost in the order of $5 billion or more, driven by tunnelling, bridge reconstruction, a Lake Burley Griffin crossing and extensive modifications to existing infrastructure. This is very different from Stage 1, which was largely constructed on flat ground with limited bridge works. Every extension beyond Commonwealth Park becomes progressively more difficult and expensive.

The DRA strongly supports improved public transport and bikeways. However, we believe Canberra residents deserve a fuller understanding of the costs, impacts and alternatives before irreversible decisions are made about the Parliamentary Precinct.

The 2024 report 21st Century Public Transport Solutions for Canberra (available through the DRA website) examined a range of alternatives and questioned whether current technologies and travel patterns justify the enormous cost of Stage 2B. It also raised concerns about long-term ACT Government debt and whether emerging transport technologies — including fast door-to-door autonomous vehicles — may provide more flexible and cost-effective solutions.

In response to strong public interest, the DRA plans further inspection walks and hopes Federal and ACT politicians will attend. We would particularly welcome members of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories, including Senator David Pocock and committee chair Alicia Payne MP. Senator Katy Gallagher and relevant ACT Ministers would also be welcome to inspect the site directly.

The Committee has the capacity to inquire into matters affecting the Parliamentary Zone and amendments to the National Capital Plan. The DRA believes the proposed route and its impacts warrant such an inquiry.

Residents interested in participating in future walks or encouraging the Joint Standing Committee to seek a mandate for an inquiry are invited to register through the Deakin Residents Association website.

We hope you can join us. Please let us know via the link.