Revealed: Why Gold Coast light rail stage four will be on the coast and not beside the M1

Transport Minister Mark Bailey has ruled out an alternative route to run the trams down an M1 corridor to the airport saying it would be a “national embarrassment” to pursue it.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey has ruled out an alternative route to run the trams down an M1 corridor to the airport saying it would be a “national embarrassment” to pursue it.

Burleigh LNP MP Michael Hart has provoked Mr Bailey, claiming the Minister’s push for a coastal route through Palm Beach was all about creating high rise towers.

But Mr Bailey told the Bulletin: “There’s a heavy rail corridor there that has been protected. It’s not wide enough to do both light rail and heavy rail. It’s designed for a two track rail connection.

“Why you would have a heavy rail and light rail going in the same place defies logic. It if you basically did that you would sterilise heavy rail ever getting to the airport.

“That’s an appalling outcome which would be a national embarrassment. That is what is Hart’s suggestion.”

In a Facebook post, Mr Hart wrote: “Mark Bailey wants light rail down the Gold Coast Highway because it brings development.

“Read for yourself (a desktop study of routes), the M1 route was ruled out without any real consideration because it doesn't suit more development and isn’t on the coast.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey at start of works for Stage Three of light rail. Pic Mike Batterham.

Gold Coast Highway was picked because it provides for more INFILL (sic) development.”

Mr Bailey responded by posting “that is all nonsense and you know it”.

“Putting light rail down the M1 means eliminating a heavy rail connection to the airport permanently. A shocking outcome,” Mr Bailey posted.

He added that all routes were considered in a multi-model study. He provided the link for Mr Hart to the study.

Michael Hart in the Queensland Parliament — at odds with Mark Bailey. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Mr Bailey has dismissed “the Hart dog leg” where the tram track heading west to Varsity winds through areas of industrial, commercial and retail space without residential homes.

“The whole idea of public transport is for it to go past people and move people to go somewhere else. It would take twice as long to get to the airport and no one would use it,” he told the Bulletin.

“It’s one of the most diabolical and insane proposals I’ve seen in the last eight years.”

Organisers of a recent forum are planning another meeting but Mr Bailey will not attend.

He said he could not see value attending “where people are shouted down and abused”.

“That’s not helpful for anybody. My commitment to people is as we have got things to consult about and it is very much in early planning at this stage, we will go back to the community and consultant,” Mr Bailey said.

“Michael Hart did not tell the meeting at any stage that the State Government extended consultation at his request.”

McPherson MP Karen Andrews updating residents on a public meeting she hosted with residents opposed to light rail Stage Four through Palm Beach.

McPherson MP Karen Andrews in an update to residents after the recent forum said the meeting called on Mr Bailey to meet with them and cease work on Stage Four.

Residents also asked that Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk ensure no further funding is allocated to the project until their concerns are addressed.

They backed a motion for the business case on the heavy rail extension from Varsity Lakes to the airport to proceed with prior to the business case for Stage 4 of the trams.

“It was very clear last night that we cannot risk damaging local businesses, creating long-term traffic issues, and harming our environment with the current proposal. It is not fit for purpose,” Ms Andrews said.

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Originally published as Revealed: Why Gold Coast light rail stage four will be on the coast and not beside the M1