OPINION: The noisy anti-light rail brigade has finally met its match

For years the transport debate has been dominated by a noisy anti-light rail minority. Not any more, writes Ann Wason Moore

There’s something in the air …

No, it’s not the chill of winter. After all, it feels like the second of our two seasons (summer and not summer) arrived early this year.

This is something different, something welcome. It feels like change.

I’m seeing it at home and I’m seeing it abroad – and it looks like the tide is finally turning.

Let’s start right here on the Gold Coast.

I’ve been writing in support of the light rail for years … not for any reason other than my own personal belief that it is a vital piece of public infrastructure that is necessary for our growing city and of huge benefit to our natural and built environment.

Because I have been forthright in my opinion, I have copped it in the comments from the very vocal anti-light rail brigade.

As someone who loves to be liked, I’ll admit that initially took me by surprise. What’s not to like about me? I’m fun, I’m funny … but more importantly, what’s not to like about public transportation?

No need to respond to either of those questions, many previous comment sections have already answered them sufficiently.

With the future of its stage four extension uncertain, previously quiet pro-light rail people are finally speaking up.

Having now embraced my villain era, I was surprised yet again after many of my most recent light rail writings were met with overwhelming agreement.

This is such a strange phenomenon, guys, do you actually like me? (Don’t answer)

While I would love to believe that I have personally persuaded readers to move over to the right side of the tracks, I think I know what’s really happening.

For the first time, the future of the light rail seems uncertain. And so all of the previously quiet pro-light rail people, who I believe make up the true silent majority, are finally speaking up.

After years of thinking the project was a fait accompli, and so leaving the comment section a vacuum for the anti-rail brigade to fill, they realise that now they need to speak up.

And it’s not just on my stories either.

On other social media sites you can see the change in sentiment towards some of the most vocal anti-light rail groups.

Over on Reddit, there is an entire post dedicated to whingeing about Save Our Southern Gold Coast, a group responsible for infiltrating and polluting seemingly every Facebook community group on the Coast – even those where light rail already exists.

“Hey Gold Coast, I’ve been watching the ongoing posts and commentary from Save Our Southern Gold Coast (SOSGC), and it’s time we talk honestly about what’s going on,” it reads.

“While community activism has its place, this group is spreading fear, misinformation, and half-truths under the banner of ‘protecting’ the Coast – and it’s doing more harm than good.”

It goes on but I don’t want to be defamatory, and I’ve checked the source … they are not some Goldlinq or John Holland shill, just a normal Gold Coast resident.

Praise be.

On social media sites you can see the change in sentiment towards some of the most vocal anti-light rail groups.

But it’s not just here where the winds have changed.

Look no further than the good ol’ USA.

Considering the levels of economic disruption, civil disturbance and contravention of its own Constitution, it’s hard to believe this second Trump presidency has only existed for about 150 days.

However, after these months of chaos, the people are finding their feet, literally.

The No Kings protests last weekend completely overshadowed Trump’s sad excuse for a military parade, with more than five million people peacefully taking to the streets versus a few thousand attending his birthday party – even the soldiers didn’t seem to want to be there.

Meanwhile, his approval rating is tanking, he’s starting to walk back his hardline immigration stance and his shifting response to the conflict between Israel and Iran has sparked something of a civil war within MAGA.

Maybe these winds of change won’t blow long or strong enough, but for this moment, it’s a wonderful breath of fresh air.

Originally published as OPINION: The noisy anti-light rail brigade has finally met its match