Light Rail Stage 2B Environmental Impact Statement engagement

Light Rail Stage 2B Commonwealth Park to Woden (Stage 2B) will extend Canberra’s light rail network to complete a north-south public transport link from Gungahlin, through the City Centre and on to Woden.

Stage 2B is one of the most complex parts of the light rail network. Stage 2B will deliver at least nine new stops between Commonwealth Park and Woden. Light rail vehicles will cross Lake Burley Griffin via a new bridge constructed between the existing Commonwealth Avenue bridges, travel through the National Triangle, and along Adelaide Avenue and Yarra Glen.

The ACT Government is in the early stages of design, planning and approvals work on Stage 2B. The project requires several Commonwealth and Territory planning and environmental approvals. These approvals involve a substantial amount of design, assessment and consultation to be undertaken.

The ACT Government is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will look at the anticipated benefits and impacts of the project and consider any required management or mitigation measures. The EIS will progress the project through Australian Government and Territory approval processes and will inform the project’s concept design.

What we're looking at

Light Rail Stage 2B is a landscape-led project. This means the project will be designed to sensitively integrate with the existing landscape, minimising its impact on the surrounding environment. In line with this approach, the Stage 2B alignment has been split into five geographical precincts. The design will reflect and enhance each precinct’s local character and landscape while responding to the unique challenges they present.

The core principles for this project are... - PRIORITISATION ACTIVITY

We want to know if there are any gaps in this approach or considerations we should prioritise.

How to have your say

The design considerations and principles for each precinct are outlined in the tabs below. Please read the description for each precinct and tell us what you would like to see from light rail in these areas.

You may also provide comments on the entire Stage 2B alignment if your comments are not precinct specific.

How we will use your views

Your feedback will be used to inform the project's design principles and the EIS, both of which will help shape the project's design. There will be more opportunities to have your say on the project. The next consultation will take place when the EIS is complete and will be published for public comment.

Commonwealth Precinct

The Commonwealth Precinct will continue on from the Commonwealth Park stop which will be completed as part of Stage 2A.

From there, light rail vehicles must cross lake Burley Griffin via a new dedicated light rail bridge on Commonwealth Avenue.

A stop at Albert Hall will service....

National Triangle Precinct

The National Triangle precinct is an area of national significance being home to the National Parliament of Australia, key cultural institutions and a key tourist attraction for visitors to Canberra.

Two potential alignments through the National Triangle are being studied. The ACT Government's preferred alignment is will pass by Parliament House via State Circle.

An EPBC Act referral has been lodged with DCCEEW to allow further studies of an alternative alignment through the National Triangle and Barton. This would travel through Parkes, past the Treasury Building, the Museum of Australian Democracy (MOAD) and through Barton and on to State Circle.

The Light Rail Stage 2B design will carefully consider the heritage and cultural importance of this area.

Inner South Precinct

The Inner South has a special place in Canberra’s history, with unique characteristics that make it a great place to live. Well-known for its leafy suburbs and beautiful streetscapes, the Inner South precinct will be serviced by light rail as it travels along the southern side of State Circle and along Adelaide Avenue.

Proposed stop locations within this precinct include:

  • Hopetoun Circuit
  • Kent Street

Inner South precinct design considerations

  • Adelaide Avenue provides ample space for light rail to travel within the median, minimising impact to traffic. The design includes a wire-free track in areas of national significance to minimise the visual impact.
  • Stops at Hopetoun Circuit and Kent Street will create more activity, located near local centres making these areas more pedestrian friendly. Canberrans will be better connected by public transport to sports fields, shopping centres, schools and services in the area.
  • Light rail design must address the security needs of the Prime Minister’s Lodge and major embassies.
  • Light rail would introduce grade-separated stops to the area which propose unique design benefits and challenges. Lifts or stairs would be provided at these stops to allow access the light rail platform. Key design challenges for these stops are accessibility, safety and lighting.
  • A light rail traction supply substation (TPS) would be needed in the area to provide power to operate the light rail vehicles, signals and communications equipment. Similar to those installed during Light Rail Stage 1, the TPS proposed for this area will be designed to integrate into the residential area with minimal visual impacts.
  • Landscape designs propose an avenue of trees to improve the physical and visual amenity of Adelaide Avenue.

Yarra Glen Precinct

Woden Precinct

Stage 2B alignment

The overarching design principles for Light Rail Stage 2B are: