Light Rail Transit Association

Trams to return to Brisbane : TRAMS will return to Brisbane streets as part of an overhaul of the city and its transport network; the city council and State Government have agreed light rail will be the key to managing Brisbane's predicted massive growth over the next 15 years. The State Government has committed to both the scheme and its cost. City Hall estimates the light-rail system will cost AUD 250 million; the light-rail network, likely to be the biggest in Australia after Melbourne, will link South Brisbane to New Farm and possibly Bowen Hills. It could be extended because Brisbane's Southeast Busway, the under-construction Inner Northern Busway and the Eleanor Schonell Bridge, linking Dutton Park to St Lucia, can all be converted to take light rail. Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said he welcomed the move, which backed the ideas put forward in Brisbane City Council's 2006 CBD masterplan.

Brisbane tram services ended on 13 April 1969. This is the third occasion in the last 20 years that a comeback for trams have been proposed, previous plans having sunk because of political discord between City and State politicians. This time they all appear to be in agreement.

30 July 2007