The ACT Government has been given another push to get on with
releasing the business cases for light rail stage 2B and beyond.
Among the 123 recommendations from the select
committee inquiry into the 2023-24 ACT Budget, two related to light rail. One
called on the government to release the preliminary business case for stage 2B
“as soon as practicable” and the other suggested future budget papers should
contain a “dedicated overview” of all budget aspects of stages 2A and 2B, as
well as associated projects.
“This would include indicators on
construction progress, budget and forward estimates’ expenditure provisions and
projections, and estimated completion dates for budgeted activities and
procurements,” the report stated.
This comes after a Canberra
Liberals’ motion in June calling for the cost-benefit assessment of light rail
stage 2B to be released, which was shot down as being a “radical disregard”
for proper process.
When questioned about the recommendations,
Transport and City Services Minister Chris Steel said the complexity of the
project meant the business case was still not in a form where it could be
released.
He explained the government needed the
initial design of stage 2B to go through planning approvals, which were
“required” to fully understand the scope of the project.
Only then could a business case be
developed.
“This is a major complex infrastructure project,
the largest in Canberra’s history, and it is going to be a different pathway to
previous projects,” Mr Steel said.
“We need to undertake that level of design
and planning approvals before we actually go through the development of a full
business case, because if you don’t know the scope of the project, you can’t
then cost the projects and you can’t then understand the full benefits of the
project.”
The government previously stated it would
release the business case publicly once both the design work had been completed
and the relevant planning approvals had taken place.
Mr Steel said this would reduce “planning
risk”, as the project would also be influenced by the National Capital
Authority.
“We know that the Houses of Parliament will
want to have their say, potentially through a joint parliamentary committee
inquiry where they may make recommendations,” he said.
“We don’t want to go back to square one on
the project by releasing a business case now and then having to completely redo
a business case in the future if there are changes to the route.”
Mr Steel had told the committee hearings
that business cases weren’t “typically” published, and were usually completed
years before the procurement process.
However stage 2B had unique challenges.