About the Commonwealth Avenue Precinct
The Commonwealth Avenue Precinct connects Stage 2A with the extension to Woden. Bounded in the north by the Stage 2A Commonwealth Park stop, this precinct extends across Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and connects with State Circle.
The Commonwealth Avenue Precinct hosts national celebrations, events and recreation facilities, and plays an important role in Canberra’s identity. Its iconic bridge across Lake Burley Griffin connects Canberra’s north and south.
A proposed stop at Albert Hall would connect locals and visitors with lakeside events, national cultural institutions and nearby workplaces and accommodation.
Commonwealth Avenue is a nationally significant boulevard, well-known for its rich heritage, landscape character and functional design. Commonwealth Avenue provides important pedestrian and vehicle connection to Parliament House, the Parliamentary Zone and Lake Burley Griffin shores.
Commonwealth Avenue is a significant element of the original Griffins’ plan forming one side of the National Triangle. It also connects the symbolic landscape aspects of Capital Hill and City Hill.
Some key considerations for the design of light rail in the Commonwealth Avenue Precinct include how the project would:
- Cross Lake Burley Griffin via a new dedicated bridge structure between the existing road bridges.
- Respect and honour the heritage of the precinct, including the vistas of Lake Burley Griffin, Parliament House and the distant Brindabella mountains.
- Promote connections, wayfinding and amenity for pedestrians and cyclists from surrounding areas to proposed light rail stops.
- Plan for the succession of ageing mature trees, including reinstatement of heritage trees and integrated treatments to provide continuity with existing features.
To respond to these considerations, the concept design and Environmental Impact Statement will explore the following design features and implications:
The Griffins’ vision
Realisation of the Griffins’ vision by introducing a light rail along Commonwealth Avenue.
High quality urban design and innovation
Construction of a new dedicated light rail bridge between the existing Commonwealth Avenue road bridges so that light rail can cross Lake Burley Griffin.
Natural systems
A tree succession plan to maintain the defining landscape character of the precinct. New plantings would also strengthen the historic formal avenue plantings and frame key views.
Connecting people to places
An island platform stop within the median north of Albert Hall and a new signalised pedestrian crossing to access the stop. Accessibility, safety, and lighting will be carefully considered.
Integrate the Albert Hall stop with walking, cycling and micro-mobility networks, and improve east west connections across Commonwealth Avenue.
Sense of place
A wire free and green track arrangement on Commonwealth Avenue to integrate into the median, respecting the important vistas and landscape setting of Commonwealth Avenue.
