BEHIND the scenes work towards­ a light rail network extension through to Green Square will continue at Town Hall after the City voted to proceed with $445,000 worth of forward planning exercises.

The council will now complete an economic analysis and estimate the cost-benefit ratio of the transport project. It will also analyse route options and explore options for financing.

A staff report tabled to the council on Monday night recommended “timely” completion of the work in order to provide documents to the State Government for review and feedback.

“This will maximise the potential for securing this vital service for the future 54,000 residents and 20,000 workers within the Green Square Urban Renewal Area,” it read.

media_camera An artists impression of the Infiniti at Green Square development by Crown Group. Picture: Supplied

A copy of a letter Lord Mayor Clover Moore sent to NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance was also included in the council’s reports­.

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In it, Cr Moore said she welcomed Mr Constance’s recent statement of support for the light rail project on which the City had already spent more than $40 million acquiring property along a 4km stretch to facilitate.

media_camera Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Planning Minister Robert Stokes inspect Ebsworth St at the Green Square development site. Picture: Supplied

Cr Moore said that the council had also constructed underground drainage, power and water supplies without conflicting “the future­ space needed for the tramway”.

In July, Mr Constance gave an indication for the first time that a light rail project was needed to accommodate­ huge growth in the city’s south.

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