Wollongong - light rail proposal

[ozbob]

Illawarra Star --> Councillor tables plan for light rail network to link beaches to CBD

A Wollongong councillor is pushing for a light rail network for the city, which would connect people from the beach to the CBD via "trackless trams".

At next week's meeting, Liberal councillor John Dorahy will ask his fellow councillors to support an investigation into the introduction of a light rail network across parts of the Illawarra, starting with a track up Crown Street to the hospital.

Cr Dorahy said a light rail would be a "game changer" for the city, with the potential to improve parking, and lessen the number of cars and buses on the roads.

"This concept has been in my mind for quite a few years and, at some stage, council needs to consider and review different modes of transport across the LGA," he said.

"I personally believe [our] parking meters are restrictive, and light rail would allow people to park well outside CBD, come into town, then back out with little impact on the city."

If it were to go ahead, Cr Dorahy said he believed a light rail network could bring more business to struggling retailers in the mall, while also inviting more tourists to the region.

"As the third largest city in NSW, this is something we should be considering," he said.

As well as linking people to key spots in the CBD, Cr Dorahy said a light rail network could expand to include growing communities like West Dapto and Marshall Mount, as well as northern Illawarra suburbs like Austinmer and Thirroul.

"In the West Dapto and Marshall Mount precincts, well over 50,000 people are set to move in within the next [five to 20] years," he said.

"If we don't take necessary planning steps and look at what our options are, then we've lost sight of our role as council."

While Cr Dorahy said this motion isn't a "near future thing", but is the first step in working out the best forms of transport for the city.

"This isn't going to be cheap, we would be seeking assistance from the state and federal government and probably private funding too," he said.

"At the moment there is potential for trackless trams which would lessen the cost immeasurably."

Trackless trams are electric train-like vehicles which run on streets like buses but instead operate along designated tracks to stations.

While strong support for the investigation is expected from other councillors, Wollongong MP Paul Scully was reluctant about the potential project.

"I'm open to exploring ideas, but the last couple of light rail projects have proved to be very expensive exercises," he said.

"The light rail in Newcastle cost $100m for three kilometres ... the question you have to ask is what are you seeking to achieve, if it's more people to the retail precinct then there is surely other levers that may allow and encourage visitors, like more hotel accommodation."

Mr Scully said while new options for enhanced transport need to be explored for the Illawarra, he wasn't sure a light rail was the answer, noting the green free bus serviced the planned first stage of the light rail very well.

The possible future of the project will be decided at next week's meeting, and despite hesitations and potential concerns about costs, Cr Dorahy said he thinks his fellow councillors will support the idea.

Interesting fact, Wollongong is the largest Australian city to never had light rail/trams.