Future Gold Coast: Mayor Tom Tate’s bombshell light rail funding ultimatum

Mayor Tom Tate has launched a stunning political shot over the Gold Coast co-hosting the Olympic Games — fund the trams to the airport or leave us out of it entirely. FIND OUT WHY

Mayor Tom Tate has launched a stunning political shot at organisers of the 2032 Olympics — fund the trams to the airport or leave us out of hosting events.

The Mayor had been told Coast business leaders, at a Future Gold Coast private briefing hosted by the Bulletin, admitted without the light rail Stage Four extension to Gold Coast Airport the city’s transport system would be in chaos during the Olympics.

Worse still, there was no “plan B” for a mass transport fix.

Australia’s top tourist destination selling a relaxed “lifestyle” to a 3.5 billion strong world-viewing audience risked wrecking its reputation for a relaxed beach holiday, they warned.

“Okay, I’ll put this to the board,” Mayor Tate replied, when asked by the Bulletin.

“If you are wanting to stop the tram, then I say well how do we get people around on the Gold Coast, and if you can’t get them around on the Gold Coast, well leave the Gold Coast out of the Olympics.

“Have it all in Brisbane. I don’t mind that. See how that works for you.”

Mayor Tom Tate arrives by GLink at Broadbeach. Picture Glenn Hampson.

The Transport Department’s latest preliminary evaluation of Stage Four light rail found the trams were the superior option to meet population increases and handle Games traffic.

The population between Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta was expected to grow by 34,220 residents to reach 47,500 persons (39 per cent increase) by 2041. Gold Coast Airport passenger numbers are expected to grow to 16.6 million.

“Bus Rapid Transit vehicles have a lower capacity and are forecast to be operating near capacity by 2041 based on the transport modelling outcomes. By comparison, Light Rail Transit is forecast to still have sufficient capacity to meet ongoing demand growth,” the report said.

The Bulletin in a report in April revealed the cost of Stage Four would be more than $3 billion and at least $4 billion with an official upper estimate - considered by experts to be at the extreme upper end - at $7.6 billion.

The Gold Coast and the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games - this graphic shows legacy items highlighting light rail and the trams to the airport.

Both the costing and Opposition vowing to put a “brake” on the project and completely review it if elected in October, has led to speculation it will not be delivered as a top Olympics legacy item.

A business leader at a private briefing for the Future Gold Coast campaign confirmed there was no “plan B” option to transport what would be bigger crowds than the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“We just heard (from tourism bosses) that the key asset we have is our lifestyle. So we also

heard that this is our opportunity to showcase the city on the international stage and what do we deliver,” the business leader said.

“We deliver a city that’s choked that people can’t move around. You might be able to do it in Brisbane, but you can’t move around down here.

“I can’t think of anything worse, in a marketing context. You hold yourself out with a certain reputation lifestyle and prove that to be completely wrong in the one opportunity where you’re out championing it. That’s the reality of it. That’s why it (the trams) must happen.”

Artist impression of the Gold Coast Airport masterplan, which features new hotels, a light rail connection and retail precinct. Picture: Supplied

State Transport Minister Bart Mellish, on a visit to the Gold Coast to inspect Stage 3 light rail works from Broadbeach to Burleigh, said Labor was committed to the trams.

“It was really disappointing to hear the LNP’s position on light rail to the airport but that shouldn’t be a surprise, at every step they have tried to have it both ways — they have tried to oppose it, while claiming victory when it has been completed,” Mr Mellish said.

“As a government we are completing a detailed business case with the Gold Coast City council that’s due back in 2025 and we really want to see what it comes back with.

“Of course we are keen to extend the light rail but it all depends on the business case whether it stacks up, the costs and the benefits.

New graphic showing light rail stage four Gold Coast, and how the trams will cross the Currumbin Creek.

“It is absolutely important to make sure our transport network for the 2032 Games and beyond is fully functioning.”

Mr Mellish believes, in his portfolio, the 2032 Games creates excitement about projects.

“Gold Coast light rail, stage 4 and the heavy rail, we need further conversations about this but the Olympics is a great catalyst to get them,” he said.

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