LNP backs light rail to Gold Coast Airport but leaves preferred route up in the air

A proposed light rail extension to the Gold Coast Airport has won a powerful new supporter. But this backer has questioned which route the trams will take going south.

Passengers riding the light rail to Helensvale Station. Picture: Jerad Williams

OPPOSITION leader Deb Frecklington has backed light rail heading to the Gold Coast Airport after the LNP was accused of being in disarray about the trams.

But the LNP leader says she is respecting the instincts of her southern-based MPs who fear the preferred route down the coastline will be the wrong way to reach the Coolangatta terminal.

Leader of the LNP State Opposition, Deb Frecklington, at Southport - she is backing her Coast MPs. Picture Glenn Hampson

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Transport Minister Mark Bailey has consistently targeted the Coast LNP MPs for taking different positions on the future tram route and being “dysfunctional” about light rail.

New figures show heavy rail passenger numbers at Helensvale have increased 55 per cent since light rail stage two was launched a year ago.

Reacting to criticisms about the LNP’s position, Ms Frecklington said: “The LNP supports the light rail and busting congestion. In government we funded the light rail after Labor left a massive black hole.

“I’d like to see light rail extended to the airport but we need to get the route right.”

Burleigh MP Michael Hart and Currumbin MP Jann Stuckey are concerned about the practical costs of light rail heading south from Burleigh through to Tugun.

PM Scott Morrison visiting the Broadbeach South light rail station (G:link) station, to announce further light rail funding. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Most of the opposition to the southern route is from Palm Beach residents fearing the corridor on the Gold Coast Highway will be too narrow leading to reduced parking spaces and potentially more highrise development around the tracks.

“My MPs are just standing up for their community and I applaud them for doing so,” Ms Frecklington said.

“Disappointingly, Labor are playing politics with this issue, to divert attention from the next stage 3A.

“The Federal LNP has committed $112 million for stage 3A, it’s time for Annastacia Palaszczuk to fund the project as well.

“Labor has just got hundreds millions in extra royalties and Annastacia Palaszczuk should use this to fund light rail stage 3A.”

Early reporting of a detailed business case being prepared for light rail shows massive support for the proposed Broadbeach to Burleigh line, and even more residents wanting it to go further south to Coolangatta.

The surveying shows 86 per cent of residents across the Coast support stage 3A to Burleigh and 91 per cent back stage 3B to Coolangatta.

Light rail outside Gold Coast University Hospital . Picture Glenn Hampson

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After a briefing to councillors from transport bureaucrats last month, Mayor Tom Tate said “we’re all aboard to go to Burleigh Head”.

“There is no delay to the time line. Our calculation on the cost early in the piece is in line with State Government. We’ve done our homework,” he said.

Previous calculations suggested the Broadbeach to Burleigh line would cost $660 million, and take two years to build. Construction would start late next year or early 2020.

The council could face a bill of between $66 million to $72 million, providing about 10 per cent of the cost in a three-way split with the state and federal governments.