Light Rail Stage 2B: Commonwealth Park to Woden

On this page

• Project overview
• Planning and approvals
• Alignment
• Previous consultation

Project overview

Light Rail Stage 2B: Commonwealth Park to Woden (Stage 2B) would extend Canberra’s light rail network to complete a north-south public transport link from Gungahlin, through the City centre and on to Woden.

Stage 2B would deliver nine new stops between Commonwealth Park and Woden. Extending light rail further south would give more people more transport options, help reduce traffic congestion and support Canberra’s transition to a zero emissions future.

The project supports planning work that has commenced on the Southern Gateway Planning and Design Framework.

Planning and approvals

Design, planning and approvals work on Stage 2B is progressing.

Careful and considerate planning will help preserve the National Triangle’s cultural and heritage significance, maintain the well-known vistas that Canberra is known for, and ensure Canberran’s have access to a reliable and convenient transport option.

This complex project requires several Australian and ACT government environmental and planning approvals, including:

• Approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) for the whole project, because of potential impacts to significantly affect matters of national environmental significance protected under that Act
• Development approval under the Planning Act 2023 (ACT) (Planning Act) for works on Territory land
• Works Approval under the Planning and Land Management Act 1988 (Cth) (PaLM Act) for works in Designated Areas
• Approval under the Parliament Act 1974 (Cth) (Parliament Act) from both Houses of the Commonwealth Parliament for those parts of the Project within the Parliamentary Zone.

Environmental Impact Statement

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared as required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) and the Planning Act 2023 (ACT). It provides an environmental assessment of the project and seeks to comply with various legislative requirements.

The draft EIS was on exhibition for 45 business days between 7 July 2025 and 5 September 2025. The project received 230 submissions from the community and stakeholders, representing a wide range of views.

The revised, final EIS was submitted to the Australian and ACT governments for consideration in June 2026, with an outcome expected by the end of the year. It includes a submissions report, which outlines how feedback received during the public exhibition has been considered and addressed.

The revised, final EIS for Light Rail Stage 2B: Commonwealth Park to Woden is now available to read. Infrastructure Canberra has published the final EIS as required under the EPBC Act.

The Australian and ACT governments are considering the EIS and will provide a decision on whether the project can proceed, and if so, under what conditions. EIS conditions will inform the project’s next steps, including planning approvals, design and delivery.

The community will have more opportunities to have their say on the project as it progresses through these next steps.

Visit the digital EIS platform to read the draft EIS or explore the interactive EIS map.

Alignment

The ACT Government has confirmed the alignment for Light Rail to Woden: Stage 2B.

Light rail vehicles would cross Lake Burley Griffin via a new bridge constructed between the existing Commonwealth Avenue bridges, along the east side of State Circle before following Adelaide Avenue and the Yarra Glen to Woden town centre.

The draft EIS assessed the ACT Government’s preferred State Circle East alignment and an alternative alignment passing through the National Triangle and Barton. The alternative National Triangle-Barton alignment was considered to allow the project to progress if the preferred State Circle East alignment was ruled out.

The State Circle East alignment features a direct route between the City and Woden, and the significant destinations in between, supporting more trips to the city. This alignment is consistent with the National Capital Plan’s Inter-Town Public Transport System, offering a less complex approvals pathway for the project.

The State Circle East alignment was submitted as part of the revised, final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in June 2026.