Light rail compensation plan would cost millions
A call for compensation to businesses impacted by the building of light rail has sparked a furious row – with objectors highlighting one major problem.
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COMPENSATION payouts to businesses impacted by the building of light rail from Broadbeach to Burleigh could cost ratepayers millions of dollars, warns a council candidate.
Zac Revere, who is standing in Division 12, has taken aim at comments by rival candidate Cathy Osborne who wants council to develop a plan to ease the financial burden on businesses.
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Ms Osborne wants to ensure businesses remain open after three years of construction and believes it will require financial compensation from the council and the State.
But Mr Revere told The Bulletin: “What Cathy hasn’t explained is where the money will come from and how much for the potential legal fees to follow. Compensating businesses for damage done would mean using taxpayer dollars to the tune of millions and further failing to
take real leadership to act prior to the projects roll out.
TRANSPORT LEVY RULED OUT FOR LIGHT RAIL
“Our community has already made it clear that we do not want a ‘tram-tax’ and now Cathy is ringing the dinner bell. Cathy hasn’t clearly and openly stated where she stands on the project; and Cathy continues to react instead of act. Cathy’s reactionary policy is incredibly different to my actionary leadership.”
Mr Revere said he would, if elected, develop a strategic management plan where businesses had input into the roll-out of light rail.
HUGE STEP FORWARD FOR BURLEIGH TRAM LINK
Area councillor Pauline Young has previously outlined council’s position, explaining that local government did not make compensation to businesses on state-led projects where it had made a large contribution to the construction costs.
She said she would continue to advocate for businesses during the construction period and attended community feedback sessions
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