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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-09-16 Daily Xml
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LIGHT RAIL NETWORK EXPANSION

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (12:40): I move:

That this house calls on the state government to improve public transport by expanding the light rail network in the metropolitan area, and the consideration of other transport options.

This motion is not a criticism of the state government in the sense of what we have; it is more a suggestion that the government needs to engage in a bold vision for improved public transport in South Australia, particularly an expansion of the light rail network. There were many critics when the light rail extension took place initially down to the University of SA campus on North Terrace; I was not one of those. I think it was a fantastic initiative and I think history will show it is one of the best things that the Rann government has done. I welcome the further extension to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and proposed extensions into the western suburbs area.

All the vibes are that we are going to get a tough budget, but I think we have to look clearly beyond just one budget. What I want to see is the state government release a visionary public transport plan with light rail options going out to the eastern suburbs and even considering the feasibility of running light rail up the freeway to areas like Mount Barker. That should have happened when the tunnels were initially done, but I do not think it is impossible even now to run a light rail service up to areas like Aldgate, Bridgewater and Mount Barker.

If it ever comes to pass that part of Monarto Zoo is developed for housing, as was part of the Dunstan vision—a vision which should have been followed through; sadly it has not—you could run fast light rail to encompass that area as well. Likewise down south, light rail is quite capable of extending down to areas like Woodcroft, Happy Valley and so on. In respect of the duplication of the Southern Expressway (which is covered in notice of motion No. 6, so I will not get into that) there is an opportunity to consider expansion of the light rail option.

Light rail is fantastic. Despite the critics, we can see how popular the extension of the light rail Glenelg line to the entertainment centre is. People have voted with their feet, and if the network were expanded with more options to Norwood, Prospect and further out people would vote with their feet.

I think overall that what we have in Adelaide, given the spread of population, is a fairly good public transport system, but it certainly could be improved. I know that in my area we want additional services—everyone does—but, being realistic, when you have a scattered population it is hard to justify public transport at a greater level.

I turn now to what I think is one of the innovative things, and I commend the Minister for Planning on this particular aspect. I have been lobbying him to have a look at the laws which restrict or prevent housing development above or within shopping centres. To his credit, he has responded to me by letter indicating that he is having a look at that issue.

If you look around, and look at shopping centres like Mitcham, Marion, Unley and Burnside and Rundle Mall, there is no reason why we could not have thousands of people (maybe young people, it does not really matter) living above those shopping complexes. It makes sense because you have the public transport network right near those centres, by definition. You already have the infrastructure and public transport connections to the shopping centres at Marion, Burnside and so on, and likewise in the western and northern suburbs.

We need to change the planning laws so that we can have a better transport system and the better use of one as our population grows. I am not an advocate for the so-called 'big Australia', but it is inevitable that in Adelaide we will have some growth in population and, rather than building on good-quality horticultural and farming land at Mount Barker and elsewhere, we should be consolidating the population in a smaller area, provided of course you have sufficient open space where people who live in those smaller accommodation units can get out and have a bit of exercise and fresh air.

So, when I talk about expanding the light rail network, I think that what is important is that we look at it in conjunction with improved planning and planning regulations that allow developers to build above shopping centres and similar types of facilities so that we maximise the space that we have in Adelaide without going further and further out and threatening viticulture, horticulture and agriculture.

I conclude by saying that the public transport system we have now in Adelaide is a very expensive system because we have a small population spread over a big area. I think that with genuine consolidation, including building above shopping centres and so on, we need a bold vision from the government of expanded light rail and other transport options. In Wellington, for example, they have trolleybuses and use them very effectively.

There are a whole lot of other things that we could be doing in terms of public transport, but what I want to see from the government is the release of a bold vision for improving public transport, coupled with enlightened planning, which means that Adelaide can have the best of both worlds—good transport and urban consolidation in a sensible way in areas which have already been developed and where you make use of the above-ground space that exists above all our shopping centres. I commend this motion to the house.

Mr PICCOLO (Light) (12:49): I move to amend the motion as follows:

Delete 'calls on the state government' and insert 'commends the state government on its commitment'

I would like to speak to the motion in the context of what the speaker said, and I note that he said that it is not a criticism of our policy, which we have extended. The biggest single investment ever made by state government in Adelaide's public transport is being made by this government. It includes tramline extensions, electrification of the Noarlunga, Outer Harbor and Gawler lines—

Ms CHAPMAN: I rise on a point of order. In this rather unusual process, the member, in moving the amendment (and I have not heard the Speaker call for a seconder at this point), is proceeding on the substantive matter as distinct from the amendment. My point of order is that this is, in fact, a completely different motion; it does not amend the original motion at all.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

Ms CHAPMAN: Indeed; and that has to be of a high standard, minister, so I am sure you will stand up and support me on this. In fact, it is the direct reverse of this motion. This motion calls on the state government to do something and the amendment, in direct contradiction of that, is to commend the government for what the member is about to tell us it has allegedly done. That is a direct contradiction of the original motion and I ask you, Madam Speaker, not to accept the amendment.

The SPEAKER: I will read the amendment again, because I was actually trying to work out what the amendment was. The member has moved the amendment; is there a seconder?

Mrs Geraghty: Yes.

The SPEAKER: I am advised by the Clerk that the motion is in order; it is not a direct negative. It is in order, and we can vote on it later.

Mr PICCOLO: Thank you, Madam Speaker; I will continue. The biggest investment ever made by a state government in public transport has been made by this government, and it includes the tramline extensions (which have already been mentioned by the member for Fisher), electrification of the Noarlunga, Outer Harbor and Gawler lines, new electric trains, station infrastructure upgrades, scores of additional buses and a modern ticketing system.

An additional $646 million has also been provided by the commonwealth government to fund the O-Bahn extension, accelerate the Gawler rail line modernisation upgrade (which is now in progress) and the Seaford rail extension to complement the state government's public transport initiatives. These initiatives are specifically designed to improve the public transport system to deliver on South Australia's Strategic Plan target 3.6 to 'increase the use of public transport to 10 per cent of metropolitan weekday passenger vehicle kilometres travelled by 2018.'

The program will also provide more frequent and faster services on a network comprising the existing dedicated public transport corridors (rail, tram and O-Bahn) and bus priority routes with greater connectivity facilitated by improved interchanges, improved accessibility through transit-oriented developments, and improved sustainability and amenity.

The network is expanded by the implementation of the tram extension to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and to other north-western suburbs. As an aside, on the benefit of the expanded line to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre—which I understand is also supported by the member for Fisher, who moved this motion—based on figures from July this year compared to July last year, total patronage on the entire tramline system grew by 55 per cent, and it is estimated that 2,000 people a day board the tram to and from the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. In addition, tram systems make an important contribution to enhancing the sustainability of cities and inner-city areas, and improve their liveability. They also play a positive role in stimulating urban regeneration, which we should all support and which I understand the member for Fisher agrees with.

It is interesting to note that yesterday, in response to some other reports, the opposition talked about supporting inner cities and inner-city growth of population, and programs such as the tram do that. For example, in 1997, Portland, Oregon identified an alignment for a new tramline and, since then, properties along its length have experienced significant changes, as follows:

$3.5 billion has been invested within two blocks of the tramline alignment;

10,212 new housing units and 5.4 million square feet of office, institutional, retail and hotel construction have been developed within two blocks of the alignment; and

55 per cent of all CBD development since 1977 has occurred within a block of the new light rail or tram alignment with properties located closer to the line.

What it means is that, when you put this sort of public infrastructure in place, there is development around it. It encourages development. We want to encourage development. Yesterday, members opposite were criticising us for supporting growth in the outer suburbs; now, today, they are criticising us for supporting development in the cities. This is a typical example of no policy and no ideas from the Liberal Party. The community sees this as a positive thing which will deliver good environmental outcomes.

The extended line to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre is now operational and delivering a brand new and free public transport option to thousands of customers, along with the convenience of Adelaide's newest park-and-ride.

Mr PENGILLY: I rise on a point of order, Madam Speaker. I bring to your attention that the clock has been on nine minutes for about the past five minutes.

The SPEAKER: Well, time passes slowly in this place when some people are talking. Back to the future. The member for Light, continue your remarks.

Mr PICCOLO: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The new Citadis trams are now operational, boosting our modern fleet by 50 per cent. In 2009 the Belair line was successfully upgraded through the provision of new concrete, gauge-convertible sleepers. Fifteen kilometres of new track was laid, while a host of level crossings and some stations have been upgraded—again, a commitment by this government to public transport.

Works have now begun on the upgrade of the first stage of Adelaide's longest and highest patronised rail corridor, Gawler (as all members would know), and the extension to the Noarlunga line is continuing. These are the first steps toward electrification of the metropolitan network. I would like also to mention the government's commitment to expanding the bus service to Gawler and also the extension of the dial-a-ride to Angle Vale. These are just two areas of improved public transport in my own electorate.

In preparation, the South Australian government has commenced the process to purchase brand new electric trains that, along with a modern, comfortable service, will provide their own significant environmental benefits. The existing 3,000 class train fleet is currently being refurbished, and a number of those are in operation, and I have used them on a number of occasions.

An extra 20 buses a year have been funded for four years, providing for immediate additional services around peak times. A contract has been awarded for the provision of a brand new smartcard ticketing system to be introduced by 2013. This state government is committed to transforming our public transport network into a vibrant state-of-the-art system, providing faster, cleaner and more efficient services for train, tram and bus commuters. We will have a public transport system which we can be proud of.

Mr PENGILLY (Finniss) (12:59): I move to amend the amendment as follows:

That this house calls on the state government to improve public transport by expanding the light rail network in South Australia and the consideration of other transport options.

The reason I have sought to amend the member for Fisher's motion and the member for Light's amendment is that South Australia is a little bigger than the metropolitan area. The member for Fisher in his earlier speech talked about Mount Barker and a few other places, but it actually goes a fair bit beyond that—even places such as Whyalla, Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Mount Gambier, Port Lincoln.

If I get totally parochial and talk about my own electorate, I have a constant demand for public transport services to be instigated down into the Fleurieu, in that rapidly rising retirement sector. Indeed, in this place I have talked about the need for putting in, perhaps, a light rail connector O-Bahn system from the South Coast/Victor Harbor area through to link up with the train at Noarlunga.

I think that it is far too narrow just to talk about a plan for the metropolitan area, because I am actually over public transport in the metropolitan area and the rest of us missing out. My constituents are over it and I dare say that the constituents of a few other members in this place who are over it, too. It is just not good enough. I seek leave to conclude my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.


[Sitting suspended from 13:00 to 14:00]


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