Light rail stage two scrutiny a welcome departure from binary debate

In the name of progress, efficiency and light rail, 28 trees that mark out Canberra's heritage and its reputation as the garden city, will be removed to make way for the stage two of the rail project.

As anyone who drives Northbourne Avenue can attest, the trees that once obscured the rising apartments are long since history, in the huge local infrastructure project reshaping the city's north.

Though, when it comes to the next stage of the territory government's signature project, one hopes a gentler touch will be applied, particularly in the parliamentary triangle so valued by locals and visitors alike.

It is in this area where the rubber hits the road for the territory government and its task to balance the demands of the Commonwealth and tourists against the need for a fast alternative to the car for Woden residents.

In stage one, there was little in the way of independent scrunity, thanks to a preference of the territory government towards belated, if any, disclosure of the key business case.

But in stage two, while the entire route is not up for serious scrutiny, as least the route through the National Capital Authority's land is, particularly through the joint parliamentary committee inquiry underway.

The scrutiny is a welcome departure from the binary and sometimes ill-informed debate on the first stage of the project, and brings with it a wider perspective of this city-changing project.

Planning experts have raised new options, such as a possible spur line in the Barton area, which must be balanced against cost, increased complexity, and trip times for the commuters taking the trip from Woden to the city, or beyond.

While cost is a major factor, such an option should not be discounted out of hand, servicing as it would the many public sector jobs and lobbyists in the triangle.

But if the contracts are drawn up in a similar fashion as stage one, it may not be taxpayers directly footing the bill for any delays in construction.

The rail will likely spell the end of some of the more unique aspects of Canberra's built environment, such as the unencumbered view down Anzac Parade, while it could also, subject to federal approval, create an extended bottleneck on one of the city's busiest thoroughfares over Commonwealth Bridge.

But cost and efficiency remain the key factors with this project: every minute longer a commuter has to wait to reach his or her destination is one more reason why he or she may get in a car instead.

Why spend another billion or so, raising other revenue lines to pay for it, if it does not represent a real alternative to a city designed with the hub and spokes of a wheel in mind.

And as the government begins removing many reliable bus routes between destinations, and plans to shut down car lanes on Northbourne Avenue into the city, thereby forcing residents to the take the train, one hopes the eventual product is worth the wait.

And at least some of the trees can stay.