Morrison Govt minister Karen Andrews tries to slam brakes on $2.7b Gold Coast light rail

A Morrison Government frontbencher has thrown an election campaign hand grenade for the Gold Coast and drawn the ire of Mayor Tom Tate after revealing she is fighting to stop the controversial extension of the $2.7 billion light rail.

Gold Coast-based Morrison Government frontbencher Karen Andrews has thrown an election campaign hand grenade and drawn the ire of Mayor Tom Tate after revealing she is fighting to stop the controversial extension of the light rail through the southern Glitter Strip.

The Home Affairs Minister says she has “deep concerns” that the proposed Stage 4 extension of the tram system from Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta will “destroy” the southern Gold Coast.

She says she has written to Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher asking him that no federal funds be directed to the estimated $2.7 billion project.

The move puts her on a collision course with Councillor Tate, an LNP life member, and state Transport Minister Mark Bailey, both of whom are determined to push the extension through.

Speaking after her announcement, a furious Cr Tate said Ms Andrews had “backflipped” on her own government’s support for light rail.

“Today, we have seen a senior Morrison Government Minister publicly disparage one of the most important public infrastructure projects in our city’s history,” he said.

“Remarkably, she has done that only weeks after all three tiers of government celebrated the start of stage 3 of light rail.

“Incredibly, she has also gone against independent community sentiment which shows 63 per cent of people want light rail direct down the shortest coastal route from Burleigh to the airport.

“Our council’s own community surveys have twice backed light rail along the most direct route.”

The site of the light rail work camp for next stage, just south of the Pacific Fair station. Picture Glenn Hampson

The $1.2 billion light-rail extension from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads is underway and the Palaszczuk Government and Gold Coast City Council have embarked on a $5 million planning study for the final 13km link from Burleigh to the airport.

The proposed extension around the environmentally-sensitive and culturally-significant Burleigh Headland and Tallebudgera Creek has divided the community.

Many locals are bitterly opposed to the plan, fearing worsening traffic chaos on the already congested Gold Coast Highway through Palm Beach.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of people and I’ve not met one local resident who thinks that reducing the Gold Coast Highway to one lane each way to accommodate light rail is a good idea,” she told constituents in her southern Gold Coast electorate of McPherson.

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“We cannot risk damaging local businesses, creating longer-term traffic issues and impacting the amenity of those living on side streets with a route through Burleigh Hill, Palm Beach and Currumbin that just doesn’t work for the community.

“Our way of life on the southern Gold Coast, and especially our unique environment, must be preserved – and any infrastructure project must support and enhance it.

“Be assured, I stand with you in opposing further extension of the light rail unless it is fit for purpose.”

Cr Tate said any alternative route for light rail from Burleigh to the airport would add at least $1 billion to the project, as well as around 30 minutes travel time.

“How could a senior Morrison Government Minister support a more expensive route and leave hardworking locals stuck in their light rail seats for longer?”

“In my 10 years as Mayor, I can’t recall a more inappropriate or poorly considered statement as the one issued by the Member for McPherson last night.’’