On the evening of 13 April 1969, tram no. 554 was the last official car to run on Brisbane's tram system. Trams were in operation in Brisbane for 85 years. This petition is not a petition based on nostalgia, I was not alive to experience the benefits on the Brisbane tram system. This petition is about a robust, economic and environmentally friendly proposition to re-establish and promote intergenerational equity. A forward-thinking, accessible, communal and environmentally friendly Light Rail (tram) system established on the similar if not same routes would provide a myriad of benefits, including unquantifiable non-monetary benefits. 

The former Brisbane tram system provided a thorough network (as shown in the image) for residents and visitors alike. Light rail is still established in Melbourne and recently established in the Gold Coast. Beginning the reinstatement of Light Rail in Brisbane would provide the following benefits:

• Light Rail will reduce traffic congestion (now and for the future);
• Light Rail will reduce pollution (Modernisation of Light Rail is more favourable to the environment);
• Light Rail will increase property values and foster economic development;
• Light Rail will provide a more affordable form of transport for concession class;
• Light Rail will provide a means of transportation for the less fortunate;
• Light Rail will promote public transport

A Light Rail project would assist in the post-covid recovery by:

• Providing a large number of jobs in infrastructure/construction, policy, planning, consultancies and investment;
• Providing a Light Rail workforce, and future I.T jobs to ensure the tech future of Light Rail; 
• Providing a sustainable intergenerational transport system on already established infrastructure;
• Transitioning Brisbane City to a more cycle and walk-friendly city;
• Being an intergenerational and environmentally sustainable project; 
• Provide lower cost transport in the city and connecting Brisbane with a more frequent and accessible transport system. 

Light Rail should be a Queensland government-led project integrated with the Brisbane City Council. The network should be future proof by ensuring the lines are able to be connected to other Local Government Areas such as, but not limited to, Logan and Redlands.

The petition advice given to me asked me to "make it personal so that readers are more likely to sign and support your petition if it's clear why you care". This petition is not about me, this petition is about the future of Brisbane and intergenerational equality. 

There are many things that we need to fix and improve. I am not writing this petition to say this is more important than other issues, but rather providing a local feasible project that can assist and help the post-covid recovery while also help future problems that we face together.  

I ask for your support. 

Finally, for perspective to detractors. The Clem7 (Clem Jones Tunnel) cost $3 billion. Money that could have been spent on this. It would have provided a much larger community benefit. Yet, I understand there can be arguments against, I think on the balance the for is the better option. There are always a hundred reasons to not do something. 

You can see the re-creation of the tram map here. 

https://theoditsek.wordpress.com/2019/12/21/brisbane-tram-map/

Also check out:

http://www.brisbanetramwaymuseum.org/history.html

This petition is done as a personal capacity project and does not represent the views of any affiliated organisations.