The Tasmanian government is planning for an expanded bus and ferry network to transport people to and from the proposed 23,000-seat stadium in Hobart's Macquarie Point — and has firmly ruled out light rail.
The Commonwealth's promise on Saturday of $240 million for the stadium was the final amount needed to confirm the project, adding to $375 million from the Tasmanian government, $15 million from the AFL, and $85 million in "borrowings".
The government believed the stadium would be the impetus for mass transit options to be developed on Hobart's northern suburbs transit corridor — but debate had centred on whether to use the line for light rail, a trackless tram, or a bus lane.
Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson said the government had chosen buses, with the transit corridor – running from Macquarie Point to Glenorchy and beyond — to be developed between 2024 and 2029.
"Light rail hasn't been viable, it's been thoroughly canvassed and investigated," he said.
"Even if light rail were viable, which it isn't, you'd be stuck with just the rail alignment.
"What rapid bus transit allows us to do is to utilise that abandoned corridor, get large numbers of people moving into and out of the northern suburbs to Macquarie Point, and then onto their continued journey.
"The government wants to take the mode of rapid bus transit and see a more widespread application across the Hobart network, so that you can see that mode being enjoyed on the eastern and southern corridors as well."
The southern corridor involves a dedicated bus lane on Hobart's Southern Outlet, to be constructed this year following the demolition of several houses in Dynnyrne.
Buses least costly option: study
A range of studies have been carried out on the northern suburbs corridor after it was allocated funding under the Hobart City Deal.
Mr Ferguson has long been a supporter of the rapid bus option, whereas others — including former Glenorchy mayor and current independent Clark MP Kristie Johnston — have advocated for light rail.
A 2019 government-commissioned report found that using the transit corridor for rapid buses would cost $385 million to Berriedale, and $512 million to Granton, including escalation and contingency.
It was the least costly option, and could be adjusted easier for capacity.
Light rail was estimated to cost between $517 million and $685 million, but could transport the highest volume of people. It would also need more at-grade crossings and traffic signals.
Rail was described in the report as "a catalyst for urban renewal increasing incentives for residents and investors", while rapid bus transit was called "efficient and reliable", and better for those living close to the corridor.
The Department of State Growth has completed a growth strategy for the corridor, but would not release this under Right to Information.
Ferries to ease congestion
A significant expansion of Hobart's ferry service is also being developed.
Thirty-three sites around the city are being assessed for potential ferry terminals.
Mr Ferguson said this would help to ease congestion.
"In a way that you saw with the ferries, when the [Tasman] bridge was temporarily disabled due to a major crash earlier this year … we're actually able to shift a couple of thousand people even with no notice when the ferry was due to stop working," he said.
The Macquarie Point stadium business case did not go into specific detail regarding transport options.
Labor blasts '10 years of broken promises'
Labor was critical of Mr Ferguson's announcement, claiming the process for improving the city's public transport infrastructure had been too slow.
"After 10 years of talking about it, paying millions to consultants, and having promised light rail, the Liberals' transport solution for the northern suburbs is … buses," Labor finance spokesperson Dean Winter said.
Shadow Minister for Transport Josh Willie said the Liberals had been in government for 10 years and "they continually promise to activate the northern suburbs railway corridor".
"If they haven't done it by now they never will."
He said "Treasurer and 'Minister for Announcements' Michael Ferguson" was "just offering more hollow words to the Tasmanian public".
"Unless Minister Ferguson funds the northern suburbs railway corridor in the budget there will be traffic chaos at Macquarie Point, and on match day the city will shut down with gridlock."
Mr Willie said the location of the proposed stadium was "right at the choke point of the three arterial roads of the city, linking the Brooker Highway, Tasman Highway, and Davey and Macquarie Street joining the Southern Outlet (arterial to southern Tasmania)".
"In 2018, [former Liberal transport minister] Rene Hidding said the Liberal government was going to pull out 'all stops' to get passenger rail running within five years. We can add that to a long list of broken promises and hollow announcements," he said.
"The Liberals have been in government for 10 years; 10 years of consultant reports, 10 years of no action, 10 years of broken promises," he said.
"If they haven't built it yet, they never will."
Location key to bus option
Hobart-based urban planner Steven Burgess said bus networks in larger cities, such as Brisbane or Auckland, provided an efficient-model for the city to emulate.
But he said the key issue was where to build the network to encourage people to walk through Hobart's CBD.
"What you don't want to happen is a bus drops someone right at the gate of the stadium, they go in, forget about their troubles for two hours … and then they get back on the bus and they leave again," he said.
He said the northern suburbs transit corridor may not be the ideal location for a rapid transit option.
"To put it in that corridor where for a certain significant part of its trip, people can't get on and off, you don't get your value out of it," he said.
