Light Rail to Woden Stage 2B brings a long list of economic, social, environmental, and city‑shaping benefits. The project will complete Canberra’s north–south mass‑transit spine, improve transport reliability, support urban renewal, and help the ACT meet its zero‑emissions goals. Commonwealth Park to Woden Stage 2B will add nine new stops to the light rail network. The project is currently progressing through planning and approvals with the recent completion of the draft environmental impact assessment (EIS), released for public exhibition in 2025.

The project’s complexity arises from its alignment through nationally significant heritage areas and landscapes, proximity to highly sensitive receivers and the stringent Commonwealth and Territory planning and environmental approvals required for delivery.

A member of the IAG team delivered the strategic stakeholder engagement lead role, embedded in both the project team and the communications and engagement teams. This role included providing advice on approvals pathways and related engagement requirements, engagement with multiple Australian Government departments and agencies and related Tier 1 stakeholders. Key aspects of the role included the preparation and negotiation of delivery frameworks, impact assessment, reporting, and issues management including proactive benefits-based communications.

Communication and engagement activities undertaken by the team included supporting the development of a digital EIS platform with over 10,200 individuals accessing the site, stakeholder meetings, the oversight of communication and guidance materials and the preparation of issue specific videos including biodiversity and heritage matters.