Effects of light rail still unclear say residents at city plan meeting

Southern Gold Coast residents have complained to council, warning the affects of light rail on building height and density remains unclear.

SOUTHERN Gold Coast residents have complained to council, warning the affects of light rail on building height and density remains unclear.

Councillors who attended a packed town hall meeting at the Currumbin RSL last night were told the development approval process must be “given some teeth” to prevent a repeat of the “development disaster” at Palm Beach.

After early consultation about the City Plan, the council had moved to assure residents that light rail moving south would not lead to height increases in buildings and densities.

“The intent of future light rail urban renewal overlays remains unclear despite all the detailed words in the City Plan,” Community Alliance leader John Hicks said.

“For stage 3A we are told it will not be like Stage 1 Broadbeach to Southport with high-rise; nor will it be like stage 2 Southport to Helensvale with no high-rise but something as yet undefined.

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Councilor Cameron Caldwell faces a packed crowd at the Currumbin RSL Meeting.

“What does urban renewal actually mean when the area is functioning quite adequately now? It is not run down or a slum, so why does it need renewing? Is urban renewal a code word for increased density to make sure light rail pays it way to whom?”

Mr Hicks asked the criteria for determining urban renewal for stage 3A from Broadbeach to Burleigh.

“Surely the role of the updated City Plan is to provide clarity to citizens most affected,” he said.

The council has yet to build the light rail overlay map for stage 3A because the State Government must determine the route.

Palm Beach-based councillor Daphne McDonald said the community had some wins by reducing densities at Jefferson Lane and both the most northern and southern end of Palm Beach.

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Announcement for Light Rail Stage 3A, from Broadbeach South to Burleigh. Transport Minister Mark Bailey, Depty Prime Minister of Australia, Michael McCormack, Angie Bell MP and Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, popping Champagne. Picture: Jerad Williams

She said council planning chair Cameron Caldwell had put forward a resolution to address the limited traffic access to Jefferson Lane.

Cr McDonald was applauded when she said the reform package would ensure increased heights and density could not be justified by the light rail corridor, which the majority of council support moving south to the airport at Coolangatta.

After council officers spoke about development reforms regarding the trams, a resident told the presenter: “We don’t need light rail.”

Cr Caldwell told residents he was prepared to stay long into the night to discuss their concerns. But he requested they show manners and not interject.

During the presentation, an elderly resident told him: “You’ve slaughtered Palm Beach. You’ve slaughtered Burleigh. What is next on your agenda?”

Councillor Gail O’Neill, who opened the evening presentation, congratulated Currumbin residents for successfully fighting height increases for buildings around the Currumbin Rock retail precinct.