Gold Coast light rail Stage 3: Federal Minister proposes ‘rescoping’ Broadbeach to Burleigh tram link

A shock solution to the ongoing light rail funding fight has been unveiled. It would allow the tram extension to be delivered but there would be some big changes.

A SHOCK solution to the ongoing light rail funding fight has been unveiled.

Science Minister Karen Andrews has proposed “rescoping” Stage 3A of the light rail in a bid to deliver the project without requiring the Federal Government to stump up the missing $157 million needed to make it a reality.

Speaking at a Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Surfers Paradise Hilton, Ms Andrews said winding back some of the project’s elements would allow it to be delivered for the $112 million the Morrison Government has put forward.

THE FIGHT FOR LIGHT RAIL FUNDING

Artist impression of Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A route

“If the view is that there is insufficient money, then let’s take actually a look at rescoping because the answer is not just going to the nearest ATM which the State Government quite frankly seems to think is the Federal Government,” she said.

“Let’s rescope it and let’s get it moving. Let’s stop the whining and complaining.”

Speaking outside the breakfast, Ms Andrews admitted she had not seen the State Government’s costings on the project but said rescoping could mean including fewer stations.

Ms Andrews also suggested relocating the termination point of the tram system to outside Burleigh State School, something she said had been dismissed by the state.

The school is around 700m north of the proposed termination point at the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade.

PLANNING BOSS BACKS LIGHT RAIL EXTENSION

Prime Minister Scott Morrison with Karen Andrews. Picture: Alex Coppel.

“(State Labor) may seek to run this through the media but quite frankly if they are serious about negotiations they should engage with the parties. This is not happening,” she said.

“This is electioneering and politicking by the state Labor government.

“If they want to sit down and talk sensibly they need to come to the table with something other than attack points.

‘MASSIVE SUPPORT’ FOR LIGHT RAIL PROJECT TO BURLEIGH

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A artist impressions and stations between Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads

“We have put in a significant amount of money and cannot afford to keep bailing out the state Government. It they cannot balance their budget that is an issue for them.

“They cry poor all the time and think they can beat us up in the media so we will cave. It is not going to happen.

“Let’s talk about rescoping and how we can achieve this within budget.”

The idea of rescoping the project has previously been raised in a Gold Coast City Council meeting last week when funding for the tram network was discussed.

But it was dismissed by Mayor Tom Tate as being “foolish”.

Artist impression of Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A route

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR FIRST 12 WEEKS

On Tuesday, Cr Tate blasted dithering politicians on all sides of the debate and urged them to find a solution.

Both sides of federal politics are refusing to budge from the $112 million committed to expand the trams from Broadbeach to Burleigh. The State Government says it is $157 million short.

It comes as insults continue to fly in the funding battle, with Opposition MP Sam O’Connor in a spat with Transport Minister Mark Bailey.

On Saturday, State Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the Federal Government was $157.5 million short of marching its Stage 1 commitment of 38 per cent of the total costs. For Stage 2, it pledged 22 per cent. So far, the feds have committed 16 per cent of the $709 million needed to build Stage 3A.

For Stage 1 of the light rail, the State Government provided almost 49 per cent of funding. That ballooned to 64.3 per cent for Stage 2.