Tedder Ave tram red light as residents prefer ferries to solve Spit gridlock

A controversial topic is expected to dominate debate at the first of the Bulletin’s council election forums, which will be live streamed at goldcoastbulletin.com.au.

MAIN Beach residents are opposed to a light rail link through Tedder Avenue to The Spit, a Gold Coast Bulletin election forum will be told on Tuesday.

Main Beach Association leader Sue Donovan has revealed the key council initiatives wanted by her members – and they do not include a tram service or an offshore cruise ship terminal.

Gold Coast tram on the Southport Bridge. Picture: Mike Batterham.

*** WATCH THE DEBATE LIVE: 6PM ON TUESDAY MARCH 2020 AT GOLDCOASTBULLETIN.COM.AU ***

The Bulletin’s You Decide election forums start on Tuesday night with a sold-outing meeting to be attended by candidates in Division 10 and 12 at the Kurrawa Surf Club at Broadbeach from 6pm. Those unable to get seats can watch the forum live at goldcoastbulletin.com.au.

The Bulletin last year detailed a radical new light rail plan as a solution to gridlock likely to be caused by the oceanside CST at Philip Park opposite Sea World.

A Spit master plan consultant team suggested a single tram line to the terminal and tourist attractions was a solution to solving gridlock at Sea World Drive.

Ms Donovan said residents understood that the city was facing tough times in the next four years due to the coronavirus and it would “not be business as usual” for council.

“There will be no money in the budget to splash on unfunded whims,” she said.

“Although supportive of the light rail servicing Griffith University, the hospitals and the heavy rail at Helensvale, we deplore the permanent damage inflicted by the poor design of

the light rail route on Surfers Paradise and Southport.

“We believe that light rail is now superseded by the new technology providing much cheaper, more flexible systems.”

Light rail track construction in Southport — residents don’t want Tedder Avenue to look the same.

HOW TRAMS WILL TRANSFORM GOLD COAST HIGHWAY

Residents were supportive of other forms of public transport and urged council to continue with its ferry trial.

“We love the HOPA ferry but believe that new stops need to be added to make it viable. It should have a dock near to Tedder Avenue – and also take passengers up to the tip of the Spit, with room for bikes and surf boards,” Ms Donovan said.

“Similarly, the bus – preferably electric – should continue to the northern tip of The Spit.”

Main Beach Association leader Sue Donovan — we want a councillor with experience who can keep on eye on poor developments. Pic Tim Marsden.

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The MBA has devoted enormous amounts of time to fighting developments in Main Beach that were outside the requirements of the City Plan in areas such as site coverage and setbacks, Ms Donovan said.

“We pride ourselves on our knowledge of the City Plan and are angry and frustrated when the provisions of the light rail urban renewal overlay are used to approve high-rise buildings that are overly bulky and impinge on the quality of life of those living in adjacent buildings.

“We want a councillor who has the experience needed to be appointed to the Economic Planning and Environment Committee where he or she can keep a very close eye on development applications for Division 10 – and beyond. We need a councillor who will support the objections of the planning officers to non compliant developments.”