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Everyone agrees light rail is on the right track - and SEA agrees with everyone. |
The Sustainable Energy Association of Australia (SEA - www.seaaus.com.au) welcomes the announcement by the Barnett Government of a commitment to light rail and agrees with everyone on the plan.
SEA agrees the Western Australian Government has it right that continuing growth in the Western Australian economy and the greater city of Perth needs a commitment to public transport and plans announced by the Barnett Government will ensure that growth is inclusive of and improves the city's amenity.
Transport Minister Troy Buswell is also right to say that while there may be some negative impacts on residents and drivers, this would be outweighed by the benefits of the new public transport system to the city.
Mr Buswell said "What you end up with is fewer cars on the road, which helps with congestion and fewer carbon emissions, but also it adds to the vibrancy and the dynamic of the city because you literally can get people in easier and out easier and you can move them around a lot easier."
SEA agrees wholeheartedly.
Greens Senator Scott Ludlum says he is not sure why construction cannot start sooner. Indeed, opposition transport spokesman Ken Travers pointed out that a smaller part of the light rail network between the Causeway and Thomas Street in West Perth could be started now using surplus money raised by the Perth parking levy.
SEA agrees with them both Senator Ludlum and Mr Travers that starting early would be a good thing.
Transport guru, Professor Peter Newman from Curtin University's Sustainability Policy Institute is right to say that, with the project is likely to be cheaper than projected, with new approaches to funding and building light rail that involved much stronger participation from private industry.
Professor Newman's internationally respected knowledge on the subject is well worth paying attention to, and SEA most certainly agree with Professor Newman's comments that if expressions of interest from the private sector to build and run the network were called for now the process could be sped up.
Why does SEA agree with everyone?
‘Great public transport networks are fundamental to great cities as they help shape population growth in transport corridors and create more affordable living opportunities for a city's residents,' says Professor Ray Wills, chief adviser to SEA.
‘Light rail is a key to good public transport systems and have many advantages over buses including being quieter and less intrusive, less energy per passenger kilometre, and because of the infrastructure commitment associated with light rail, offers investment certainty along transport corridors,' says Professor Wills.
‘It also means that, as renewable generation grows across the grid, the public transport solutions relying on electricity become increasingly green over time. A road vehicle solution involving combustion engines cannot hope to help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions - electric light rail can.'
‘Transport-oriented design improves property values and retail trade opportunities enjoyed by businesses and residents alike, and strong leadership and early government investment will undoubtedly attract strong private investment along those corridors, building a more vibrant city,' says Professor Wills.
Everyone agrees light rail is on the right track - and SEA agrees with everyone.
SEA Media Release - 3 September 2012
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