Coffs Harbour light rail

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Planning in the pipeline for a Coffs Harbour light rail network

A proposal for a light rail service on the Coffs Coast is being weighed up.

The Coffs Harbour City Council (CHCC) is having a planning report prepared on reserving potential corridors.

    Getting the planning done sooner rather than later means that we can actually have it sooner if we so choose
    Cr Rodney Degens, CHCC

Possible routes around the city, include the Pacific Highway, Orlando Street and Harbour Drive.

Cr Rodney Degens said it is important to set aside land now even if the construction of the light rail system does not start for decades.

He said the eventual Pacific Highway bypass of Coffs Harbour is expected to free-up more land.

"We can expect a Coffs Harbour city bypass at some point in the future," he said.

"That means that you've got the highway a little bit freer than it's been in the past.

"You've got Harbour Drive, which has got space depending on how you can figure it.

"The present rail corridor alongside Orlando Street also has significant space."

CHCC planning staff are examining the feasibility of a light rail system for the city, including the potential route.

The report will identify the possible rail corridor, and if it can be reserved.

The Pacific Highway, Orlando Street and Harbour Drive have been identified as options for the light rail corridor.

Cr Rodney Degens said it is important planning work

"It would mean we can actually pay for it, we can build it cheaply at the cost that it should be," he said

"Not the cost of reconstruction and all of the damage that we make getting all of these systems in.

"Getting the planning done sooner rather than later means that we can actually have it sooner if we so choose, at some time in the future."

[ozbob]

Coffs Harbour Advocate --> Councillors to vote on rail plans