Canberra's promised light rail network will be stopped is the ACT Liberals win the next election. Artist?s impression of the proposed Canberra light rail.
The Liberals (Conservatives) could consider private funding for construction of a light rail network in Canberra. Photo: Supplied
Construction of Canberra's promised light rail network will stop if the ACT Liberal opposition wins the 2016 election.
A key aspect of the deal that brought Labor and the Greens together to form government in 2012, construction on the $600 million-plus first stage of the network, is due to begin before voters go to the polls.
But opposition transport spokesman Alistair Coe said his party would do all it could to scrutinise Capital Metro and stop further rollout if Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson becomes chief minister.
Mr Coe stopped short of saying an incoming Liberal government would tear up existing contracts or demolish already constructed infrastructure after the election.
He said the Labor government could not be trusted to deliver the project's first stage - linking Northbourne Avenue and Civic to Flemington Road and Gungahlin - and that the network's cost would likely blow out.The party could consider private funding for construction of a light rail network in Canberra.
Flagging construction delays from existing infrastructure in the Northbourne corridor, Mr Coe said any delay could suit a new government seeking to stop the rollout.
''We also know this government has form when it comes to capital works projects,'' he said in an interview. ''If the Gungahlin Drive Extension or the Cotter Dam are anything to go by, this could spiral upwards significantly.
''What we have seen on the Gold Coast is the cost [of a light rail network] blow out to $100 million per kilometre.'' Mr Coe questioned how the light rail network would operate alongside under-utilised ACTION Bus services. He said the network currently showed no sign of servicing Canberra Airport and the city's national institutions.
''It will depend on where the project is up to as to how we manage the situation,'' Mr Coe said.
''I think at all times, front and centre for the opposition will be the taxpayer who is funding this and we will use that as guidance as to how we treat any potential contracts in 2016.''
The opposition is committed to outlining an alternative vision for public transport before the election.
''I don't doubt that many people in Canberra like the idea of hopping on a tram and going to their chosen destination. However, the fact is there are very few people who will be serviced by Capital Metro as it is planned.
''It's not like this current population … is not being serviced by public transport at the moment,'' Mr Coe said.
The already established Capital Metro Agency is overseeing the administrative elements of the project.
The agency's staffing is soon expected to reach 17 people, with a weekly payroll bill of about $45,000.
The ACT government recently sought to fill another four positions, including the role of finance and economics director with an annual salary of $230,406.
With contracts already awarded for technical advice and other aspects of the rollout, Capital Metro is integrated into the government's other flagship infrastructure project for the CBD, City to the Lake.