Gold Coast light rail: GoFundMe launched to fund anti-light rail billboard
A Gold Coast resident fed up with plans for light rail and overdevelopment has launched a GoFundMe campaign to send a unique message to council.
Gold Coast
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A DISGRUNTLED Gold Coast resident fed up with plans for light rail and overdevelopment in her suburb now plans to fund a billboard to air the community’s grievances.
Well known Palm Beach resident Karen Rowles has launched a GoFundMe campaign in order to raise cash for to help residents fight back against construction they may be concerned about in the neighbourhood.
Titled the, ‘Stop Light Rail Stop the Overdevelopment Fund’, the funds will be spent on hiring a billboard on the Gold Coast Highway and the production of other campaign materials.
Within a week the fund had raised $2200 of its $50,000 target.
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Ms Rowles, who has a reputation as a vocal campaigner against development in the suburb, said this is the first time she has asks for money to help the community cause.
“I have never asked for money ever, previously I would put my own money into a fight but because of COVID I am not able to do that any more,” she said.
“People do still want to ramp up on the light rail so this is one way we can get together on these issues.”
Ms Rowles said she was initially planning a protest but due social distancing it was decided a billboard and defence fund would be a highly visible option.
Her main concerns included the impact of the proposed route of the light rail and “high density high rise developments” she said affect the local lifestyle.
“People have already been amazingly generous, what we want to do it also fund large stickers and even a lawyer to fight council and state government decisions at some point if we can raise enough.”
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When asked if the campaign was focused on the light rail path or high-rises in the area, Ms Rowles said they went hand-in-hand.
“The light rail is marking the way for over development, they are one and the same. You have one you get the other,” she said.
Billboards can cost anywhere between $1,500 to $14,000 to rent in the southeast Queensland region depending on the location and the duration of the lease period.
EARLIER: WHEN COMMUNITY CONSULTATION WILL TAKE PLACE
TRANSPORT Minister Mark Bailey has revealed when Gold Coast residents will have their say on the Burleigh to Coolangatta light rail extension.
A 12-week community consultation program will begin in 2021 and will look at the proposed route of the tram system as well as what it means for the southern Gold Coast.
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It will include:
* The State Government opening a shopfront at Palm Beach over the 12 weeks so community can drop in to discuss project proposal subject to COVID-19 restrictions.
* Further face-to-face sessions along the route.
* A project newsletter to be delivered to about 38,000 residents and businesses in Burleigh, Elanora, Palm Beach, Currumbin and Tugun at the start of consultation.
* A dedicated consultation web page where the community can provide feedback via online engagement tools videos and interactive images of what a completed project could look like based on a high-quality 3D visualisation model of the corridor.
* A dedicated consultation hotline and email so the community can speak directly with the project team.
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“There’s been plenty of interest in what consultation for a future stage of light rail will involve,” Mr Bailey said.
The consultation will be part of the $7 million business case, which is jointly funded by the State Government and Gold Coast City Council.
“This business case will support the next critical steps needed to push major transport investment on the Gold Coast forward, which is vital for Queensland’s economic recovery,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said in August.
“This is about building a pipeline of projects that can continue to support and create jobs, boost our economy and improve transport for locals, particularly those living on the southern end of the Gold Coast.”
Construction is expected to begin in 2023 once Stage 3 between Broadbeach and Burleigh is completed.
Originally published as Gold Coast light rail: GoFundMe launched to fund anti-light rail billboard