Gold Coast light rail stage 3A: Fears Broadbeach to Burleigh light rail rescoping could delay tram for years

A controversial solution to the light rail funding war could delay the Broadbeach to Burleigh link “for years” according to furious city leaders who have blasted the proposal.

FEDERAL Minister Karen Andrews wants to shorten the next stage of light rail to end the bickering between warring politicians.

The Gold Coast MP told a business breakfast yesterday that the Federal Government would not have to cough up any more than the pledged $112 million if the tram line from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads was cut short by 700m. She said the track should stop outside Burleigh Heads State School and not go into the Burleigh Heads township.

A stop could be axed if the route was “rescoped”

THE FIGHT FOR LIGHT RAIL FUNDING

“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,” Ms Andrews said.

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

Mayor Tom Tate and State MPs on both sides of the political divide reacted angrily to Ms Andrews’ comments and warned rescoping Stage 3A would delay the extension by several years.

Karen Andrews at the meet the candidates breakfast at the Surfers Paradise Hilton. Picture: Jerad Williams

PLANNING BOSS BACKS LIGHT RAIL EXTENSION

City leaders say the project is pivotal to the future of major developments such as the Gold Coast Airport upgrade and easing traffic congestion.

Both sides of federal politics are refusing to budge from the $112 million committed to expand the trams from Broadbeach to Burleigh.

On Saturday, State Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the Federal Government was $157.5 million short of matching 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.

The tram route.

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.

Speaking outside the Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce breakfast, Ms Andrews admitted she had not seen the State Government’s costings on Stage 3A, but said rescoping could mean fewer stations.

“(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.

‘MASSIVE SUPPORT’ FOR LIGHT RAIL PROJECT TO BURLEIGH

The candidates breakfast at the Surfers Paradise Hilton. Picture: Jerad Williams

“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.

“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.”

Burleigh MP Michael Hart says he “supports rescoping Stage 3A if that means it gets built now”.

Ms Andrews says the Burleigh Heads station should be scrapped.

“As Stage 3B’s route hasn’t been finalised it makes sense to terminate outside the state school,” he said. “The next stage could then turn right and go out West Burleigh Road as I have been saying for years.”

Mr Hart’s support of a western route has previously been criticised by Mr Bailey and other political opponents because it would travel past Burleigh Brewing Company, of which he is a part-owner.

Mr Hart has always strongly denied that his support for a western route was linked to his business interests.

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Queensland, Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Mr Bailey said Ms Andrews’ comments were “astonishing” and “pathetic”, and warned rescoping would delay any extension.

“Instead of coming up with a fair funding deal we have just got more and more excuses and road blocks,” he said.

“Let’s be clear when she says rescope it. This would delay the light rail by several years.

“We spent a year on the business case and working with local businesses and stakeholders and a change like this would mean we would have to do another business case

“We are open to negotiations but this is pretty pathetic and the Gold Coast deserves better.”

A furious Cr Tate – who this week said he was sick of being Australia’s Oliver Twist and going cap in hand for money – rubbished Ms Andrews’ proposal and said the latest war of words reinforced his calls for changes to the funding of major projects.

“Rescoping the project is not a viable way to approach this public infrastructure asset,” he said.

“I have made it clear that the state and federal governments need to look at four-year financial cycles so projects can be properly funded. That way, all three tiers of government stay ahead of the curve when it comes to critical public transport modes like the M1, M2 and light rail.

“If they followed this concept, funds for the M2 would be sourced now and set aside. This would put an end to the constant state versus federal infighting over money.’’