Gold Coast light rail 3B: Palm Beach council candidates and Burleigh MP react to extension

Some Palm Beach council candidates are not happy with the decision for the light rail to be extended from Burleigh to Tugun, saying the plan is ‘out of touch’.

NOT everyone is happy about the Gold Coast light rail 3B extension.

The State Government ended years of debate today by announcing the last stage of the light rail will run from Burleigh to Tugun, reaching the Gold Coast Airport.

Premier Annastacia Palascuzuk and transport minister Mark Baily came to the conclusion after a two-year study was conducted by international consulting firm Jacobs Engineering.

Jacobs Engineering found the light rail to be extended from Burleigh to Tugun was the “best option” for the extension.

Candidate for Division 13 Ms Bern Young. Photo: Mike Batterham

BURLEIGH TO TUGUN: ‘IT IS THE ONLY PLACE FOR THE LIGHT RAIL’

Palm Beach council candidate Bern Young told the Bulletin the proposal was “out of touch”.

“The artist impression released today looks like the Sundale Bridge, this is Tallebudgera Creek, not the Nerang River,” she said.

“I don’t support the plan across Tallebudgera Creek. This is not the way to bring public transport through this stunning, natural environment.

Division 13 councillor Daphne McDonald post about the Gold Coast light rail extension 3B from Burleigh to Tugun.

“When community consultation begins I will champion one track only across Tallebudgera Creek, thereby requiring a much narrower bridge.”

Division 13 councillor Daphne McDonald shared a photo of the Bulletin’s front page on her Facebook page this morning, saying “the light rail is not the answer”

“This is what we are waking up to his morning - how out of touch with the community you are Premier,” McDonald shared.

Long standing division 13 councillor Daphne McDonald. Photo: Jerad Williams

“After 29-years as Division 13’s councillor I can promise you that ‘progress’ in the wrong hands can quickly run off the rails devastating everything in its path.

“The light rail is not the answer.

“There are many, better solutions in our Town Planners pipeline and I want them on the table for all residents to consider and decide upon.

“This is our home, the future is in our hands and together we can win against the odds - together.”

Michael Hart Member for Burleigh. (AAP Image/Richard Waugh)

Member for Burleigh MP Michael Hart was also not pleased with the decision.

“The Queensland labor Government and their Premier have today treated my constituents like they don’t exist - announcing a secret report recommends light rail tear apart Palm Beach,” he wrote on Facebook.

“The Premier and her Minister haven’t given me the courtesy of letting me know they were making this announcement.

“I haven’t been shown or even told about this report and their big selling point is it's the cheapest route with the most economic uplift.

“Are they serious? Those aren’t reason to choose this as the best route.

“Needless to say I will be opposing this.”