Business group against Burleigh light rail build on Gold Coast

A GROUP of concerned business owners and locals have launched an online campaign against the next stage of the light rail, warning of unforeseen costs.

BURLEIGH business owners have launched a campaign against plans to extend the light rail south to the airport, arguing the route would result in costly bridges and expensive property resumptions.

The action group of 20 business people and residents against the southern build have established a website, stopthelightrail.com.au, and distributed flyers in the area in the hope of educating the community on the proposed development.

WHAT GOLD COASTERS WANT FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Former engineer Gordon Gault, who now works as an investment manager, has helped to organise the Palm Beach and Burleigh Action Group over the past month.

Mr Gault said the numbers behind the proposed extension down the Gold Coast Highway, stage 3b, simply don’t stack up.

Light Rail pamphlets distributed by the Burleigh and Palm Beach action group. PHOTO: Contributed.

“It is stupidity on steroids,” Mr Gault said.

Mr Gault said the group, which will hold a public meeting later this month, believes not enough information has been made available about the project.

“The community has been told basically nothing,” Mr Gault said.

“How can they say we have been consulted and can make an informed decision, when there isn’t a finished business case for 3a?

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“Last year we discovered surveyors on Burleigh esplanade who said they were looking at the light rail route, it was the most ridiculous thing we had ever heard of – where is a track 13 metres wide in operation going to fit?”

The Broadbeach South stop. Picture: Jerad Williams

The former engineer said some of the major water crossings at Tallebudgera and Currumbin could also be a costly addition to the average $70 million per kilometre it costs to build light rail.

“The main justification of this was to tackle congestion, but our buses aren’t even being used as is,” Mr Gault said.

LIGHT RAIL PASSENGERS MORE THAN EXPECTED

“After counting the cost to Government and businesses, the government’s interest payments, and the impact of the build we can’t think of one benefit that the light rail will bring us.”

Opening morning of the Stage 2 of the Gold Coast light rail (g:link). The official opening at the new Helensvale Station. Picture: Jerad Williams

State Member for Burleigh Michael Hart said the movement was indicative of the local concerns about stage 3b of the light rail.

A recent Facebook poll by Mr Hart showed 64% of 1200 respondents supported a diversion of the line west to Varsity Lakes, instead of the route south.

“Considering people on my Facebook are locals, it is (the poll) a fair indication of where people in Burleigh and Palm Beach think the light rail should go,” Mr Hart said.

“I think the locals are really worried that council have already made up their mind without considering all the facts.”

Mr Hart said he would like to see a business case look at alternative routes.

“If I am proven wrong I will be the first to admit it, at the very least we need to consider alternatives for stage 3b,” he said.

The crowds wait as the light rail tram enters the station at Helensvale. Picture: Jerad Williams

A Gold Coast City Council spokesman refuted the claims of the group.

“The brochure does not appear to be attributed to any organisation and is riddled with mistruths, too many to detail,” a council spokesman said.

From June to July 2017 the council conducted public consultation on the proposed Broadbeach-Burleigh route (3A), however the final business case is yet to be completed.

“We direct mailed 72,500 homes and businesses and held 10 face-to-face public consultations in the project catchment. A widespread marketing campaign promoted the survey,” the council spokesman said.

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Of the 2142 respondents to a council survey 71.48 % indicated they would be either “extremely likely” or “likely” to use Light Rail’s stage 3a extension from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads.

The light rail tram at the Parkwood East Station. Picture: Jerad Williams

A spokesman for Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said extensive community consultation on the controversial build can be expected.

“Any future business case development for Stage 3B would also involve extensive community consultation,” the spokesman said.

“We are committed to keeping the community informed and engaged in all light rail planning activities.”