Clover changes tack on light rail
Image: Will light rail be implemented on Oxford Street?
Light rail for Oxford St appears to be back on the agenda, with Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore flagging a change in her support for the State Government’s CBD and South-East Light Rail project.
In a letter to NSW Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian, Ms Moore said she no longer supported the State Government’s current plan, which would see the light rail line plough through a park and homes in Surry Hills.
Current State Government modeling for the project shows the light rail line – which will connect Circular Quay with Randwick – traversing Devonshire St in Surry Hills, before cutting through Wimbo Park and the Olivia Gardens apartment block, which contains 69 homes.
But in a letter to Ms Berejiklian dated 15 March, Ms Moore said she wanted the light rail line placed in a tunnel under Surry Hills or re-routed up Oxford St instead.
“I do not support the surface route through Surry Hills currently being developed,” the Lord Mayor wrote.
“A tunnel below Surry Hills or a route via Oxford St would be a better outcome.”
Ms Berejiklian is believed to have ruled out a tunnel under Surry Hills.
Government sources have previously said a tunnel would cost about $100 million. It would also see Surry Hills effectively bypassed, with light rail inaccessible to the suburb unless expensive underground stops were built.
Darlinghurst retailer Andrew Duckmanton said he hoped the Lord Mayor’s lobbying would put light rail for Oxford St back on the agenda.
Mr Duckmanton, the former president of the 2010 Business Partnership, said running light rail from Circular Quay to Randwick via Oxford St made “far more sense” than Devonshire St.
“Who would be serviced by light rail on Devonshire St?” he asked.
“We have thousands of people using Oxford St’s bars, clubs, restaurants and shops each day and night – who goes to Devonshire St?
“Clearly, this project hasn’t been thought through.”
Transport for NSW officials are believed to prefer the Devonshire St route as it would connect with Central Railway Station, allowing the trams to intersect with Sydney’s heavy rail network at Sydney’s main railway station.
But opponents of the plan point out that the current light rail blueprint already sees light rail meet Sydney’s heavy rail network at Town Hall, Wynyard and Circular Quay railway stations.
People Unite Surry Hills (PUSH) spokesperson Venietta Slama-Powell flagged Town Hall as an option.
“We are not planners or engineers, but we know Council has plans to develop a square and interchange at Town Hall, so that might be an alternative to Central,” she said.
City of Sydney Councillor Linda Scott said Council should use its financial clout to get the best outcome for residents.
“We’ve already committed $180 million to the project and we’re just about to sign an MOU for a further $40 million,” she said. “We have a bargaining chip.”
Council will debate the extra $40 million commitment, requested by Ms Berejiklian, at the next Council meeting on Monday, March 25.
Ms Berejiklian did not respond to questions by deadline.
PUSH will hold an “emergency public meeting” on the issue from 6.30pm this Thursday, March 21 at the Northcott Community Centre, Surry Hills.
