Future Gold Coast: Demands for funding of light rail extension
The boss of Gold Coast Airport is warning state and federal politicians not to await the outcome of a 2032 Olympics bid before progressing vital light-heavy rail links.
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THE boss of Gold Coast Airport is warning state and federal politicians not to await the outcome of a 2032 Olympics bid before progressing vital light-heavy rail links.
Queensland Airports CEO Chris Mills, in a statement to the Bulletin yesterday for its Future Gold Coast series, said Gold Coast Airport was “right behind” the Olympics bid — but added: “Governments should not be tempted to delay decisions on vital transport infrastructure for the city pending a decision on where major events like this are hosted however.
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“We need light rail stages three and four, and upgrades to the M1, delivered well before the 2032 Olympics is staged here,” he said.
Light rail’s stage 3A will run from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads while Stage 3B is expected to run from Burleigh to Gold Coast Airport.
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Stage 3A progress has been stalled for months as State and Federal governments argue about a funding split with no solution in sight.
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Mayor Tom Tate said: “With over one million trips a month on light rail, the debate is over and the light rail deniers have been silenced.
“That is equivalent to over 1100 bus trips a day extra on Gold Coast roads based on current average bus patronage — an impossibility.
Cr Tate hoped the Olympics bid would galvanise politicians: “If the Olympic bid is the catalyst to get the other levels of Government to finalise their funding deal then I say all aboard.”
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the Broadbeach to Burleigh stage would give Olympic visitors choice on where to stay.
“One of the keys to its success is providing simple and seamless transport.”
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