Gold Coast light rail: How the trams have done a U-turn on The Spit

Main Beach residents were assured by the city council a light rail spur line was “unlikely in the future” before it was included in a recent draft Spit Master Plan. Now they’re back on the agenda.

MAIN Beach residents were assured by the city council a light rail spur line was “unlikely in the future” before it was included in a recent draft Spit Master Plan.

The Bulletin has obtained an email from area councillor Gary Baildon to a community leader in August last year reassuring residents trams would not enter the beachfront suburb.

Veteran Gold Coast councillor Gary Baildon. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

But the State Government through the master planning process, at the time, began urging council to “ensure space is reserved” for a light rail spur line.

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Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk earlier this month announced light rail will be extended north to Sea World, with at least two new stations to be built as part of The Spit draft master plan.

In his email, Cr Baildon told residents: “The City has not made a commitment to progress planning for a future light rail spur line to The Spit and in my opinion, is unlikely in the future.”

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At the time, the city council was finalising the Gold Coast Public Transport Plan, which would be available to download in the coming months, he wrote.

“This plan is proposing to remove the light rail spur line to The Spit as part of the proposed 2031 public transport network.”

Cr Baildon yesterday confirmed the priority for the council was to build light rail south of Broadbeach.

“I’m certainly of the view that council is taking light rail south before they consider side routes,” he said.

Light rail through either Main Beach main drag Tedder Avenue or along the Broadwater as part of a 2.6km track has been costed previously at $200 million.

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President of the Friends of Federation Walk Inc Lyn Wright.

Main Beach residents had written to the Transport Minister in late 2016 urging the Government to support expanding the existing bus service which stops at Sea World to include a loop run around Doug Jennings Park.

More than 200 Brisbane and Coast-based international students travelled to the park on weekends for surfing, diving and bush walking.

The Government acknowledged extending the service to the Seaway would benefit some visitors, but argued development on the northern end at that time was “minimal” compared to Sea World and Sheraton Mirage.

Possible light rail extension to the Spit

Another proposed route

Federation Walk leader Lyn Wright believes State Government in the master planning process should back the option of extended bus services to the Seaway and a ferry terminal at the marine stadium rather than light rail to the theme park.

“It’s a logical solution. It doesn’t cost any money to move a bus terminal from Sea World to the end of The Spit,” she said.

“A lot of schools in Brisbane want to travel by public transport (to the Coast). But the public transport finishes at the terminus at Sea World.

“They would have to walk to the Seaway to do their activities. We want them to move the terminal up to the Seaway.”

Asked about an extended bus route, Cr Baildon said he supported the proposal but it was not for council to make the decision.

“This is a matter for the State. I believe a bus service should go to the end of The Spit,” he said.