Liberals leave northern suburbs in gridlock

Tasmanian Labor

The Liberal government’s failure to progress any kind of public transport for Hobart’s northern suburbs is a damning indictment of their commitment to northern suburbs residents and communities and more confirmation that they have lost their way.

Shadow Transport Minister Josh Willie said the Premier’s confirmation to Parliament today that the desperately needed Hobart northern passenger rail corridor will not go ahead shows this government has again raised the white flag on Hobart’s traffic crisis.

“After the State and Federal Governments agreed to accelerate a City Deal for Hobart in 2018, the then-Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding promised to “pull out all stops” to have a light rail system running in the northern suburbs within five years,” Mr Willie said

“Four years on and we have no progress whatsoever, with the Liberal government now ruling out the light rail option.

“In answer to Labor’s questions in Parliament today, all Peter Gutwein would commit to was delivering a public transport option by the time the City Deal ends.

“That’s 2029 – seven years away. What are the people of the northern suburbs meant to do in the meantime?

“Traffic is already horrendous so imagine how much worse it will be in seven years.”

Labor Member for Clark Ella Haddad said the lack of progress is not only an abandonment of the government’s promise and of the northern suburbs.

“It is also a massive waste of the $25 million allocated in the City Deal to activate the abandoned rail corridor.

“And with no concrete plans to progress any kind of public transport options for the northern suburbs, what becomes of that money?

“The government should be using those funds now to begin the work instead of sitting on their hands and failing to deliver for the people of greater Hobart.

“This government continues to let down the people it represents, failing to deliver on its promises and ignoring the needs of local communities. All Tasmanians deserve better.”

Josh Willie MLC

Shadow Transport Minister

Ella Haddad MP

Labor Member for Clark

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