Burleigh bar owner Jack Connor reveals disruption from light rail works

A Gold Coast bar owner has posted a hilarious video outside his venue amid ongoing works for the light-rail extension which has devastated local businesses.

They say that sometimes you just have to laugh – or you’d cry.

An award-winning Gold Coast bar owner has done just that, posting a hilarious video outside the establishment amid protracted construction works for the light-rail extension which has devastated local businesses.

Rosella’s bar at Burleigh Heads put up the vid this week of owner Jack Connor sipping on a beer outside the Gold Coast Highway establishment while surrounded by a dug-up footpath, construction barriers and temporary fencing.

“Oh, bloody lovely isn’t it?” he says as he takes in the less than idyllic surroundings, while the cameraman bursts into laughter.

The video is captioned “GCCC (Gold Coast City Council) upgraded our alfresco … BYO buckets and towels”.

Ongoing construction work for the extension of the light rail has devastated businesses in the area.

The post has attracted more than 150 comments, with many praising Mr Connor’s good humour in the face of adversity and slamming the chaos being caused by the light-rail extension from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads.

“They’ve (light-rail operators GoldlinQ) been saying “it’ll be operational this time next year’ for the last two years. It’s just a joke,” one person commented.

Another referenced promises that Burleigh businesses would be “so busy” once the $1.5b project was completed.

“That’s only if small business survive,” she said. “Southport is a ghost town at night.”

Another commenter told Mr Connor: “Bloody love your sense of humour.”

“Sometimes ya just need to laugh about it,” he replied.

The light-rail extension is due to be operational by the middle of next year.

The state government has commissioned a review of the proposed fourth and final stage of the tramline from Burleigh to Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta, after fierce opposition from southern Glitter Strip residents as well as a massive estimated cost blowout to up to $7.6b.

Coast Mayor Tom Tate has been pushing for Stage 4 to be finished before the 2032 Olympics.

Rosella’s, an Australiana-themed wine bar, was named Queensland’s best cocktail bar by industry magazine Boothby last year.

Originally published as Burleigh bar owner Jack Connor reveals disruption from light rail works