Light Rail Rings Subi's Bell

Letter to the Editor, 12 March 2008

From: Watson, Giz
Sent: Wednesday, 12 March 2008 4:01 PM
To: 'letters@postnewspapers.com.au'
Subject: letter to editor

Dear Editor

It was refreshing to read in ‘Light rail rings Subi’s bell’ ( 8 March 2008, p. 16) that the Subiaco Council is supporting the proposed light rail through Subiaco, Nedlands, Perth and East Perth.

In the coming years, Perth faces two fossil fuel crises: rising oil prices and climate change. Both these challenges will impact heavily on how we travel in Perth : to work, to school, to see our friends and families and for recreation. It is clear we need new and creative ways to address this issue.

The Greens have long been promoting the benefits of light rail network, with an emphasis of delivering high quality service to areas of Perth in dire need of accessible public transport, especially to areas of high automobile dependence and areas of concentrated low incomes, health care and disability access issues, and housing affordability.

The proposed system is a great initiative for Subiaco and will provide benefits to the people living, working and visiting the area, as well as address the issue of petrol usage and green house gas emissions.

The Greens would like to see the network extended to outer-metropolitan areas where residents are most vulnerable to petrol price rises. Perth’s outer suburbs are well suited to run-of-traffic light rail systems, with wide avenues and extensive median strips. Key population areas such as Joondalup and Kwinana could certainly benefit from a light rail network and the State Government should go for economies of scale and look at serving the whole city, not just inner city areas.

Giz Watson MLC

Greens’ Member for North Metropolitan Region

12 March 2008