The following residents of the ACT draw the attention of the Assembly to the community’s mounting opposition to the construction of Light Rail Stage 2B (LRS2B) Your petitioners oppose the construction of LRS2B at this time and instead support consideration of more flexible, cost‑effective and compelling alternative transport options. We therefore request that LRS2B not proceed until it has been subjected to a rigorous, transparent and publicly accessible independent review that addresses:
• Whether the majority of the ACT community genuinely supports and prefers the LRS2B option.
• The existence of a robust, independently validated and publicly released cost–benefit analysis, comparing LRS2B with alternative transport options.
• The financial burden on ACT taxpayers, particularly in light of the Territory’s deteriorating budget position and recent credit rating downgrade.
• Demonstrated and independently verified transport, land‑use planning and network‑efficiency benefits.
• Whether funding LRS2B is appropriately prioritised relative to critical community needs, including health, housing, childcare, and sport and recreation.
Your petitioners, therefore, request the Assembly to call on the ACT Government to:
1. Halt or pause all contractual commitments related to Light Rail Stage 2B, noting that sunk costs incurred during Stage 2A do not justify proceeding with Stage 2B.
2. Refer Light Rail Stages 2A and 2B to the ACT Auditor‑General for independent examination, including:
• financial viability and long‑term affordability;
• evidence of a favourable cost–benefit outcome compared to other transport solutions;
• the quality, transparency and validity of community consultation processes; and
• whether there is genuine majority community support.
3. Request a formal statement from Chief Minister Andrew Barr outlining the evidence, rationale and justification for proceeding with LRS2, despite:
• consistent and well‑publicised opposition from former elected representatives, planning professionals, transport experts, and town‑planning specialists;
• growing community opposition following prolonged disruption along Commonwealth Avenue;
• increasing financial pressures and competing priorities across essential community services at a time of two consecutive downgradings of the ACT Government's Credit rating.