Palm Beach locals challenge Transport Mark Bailey to talk trams over a beer at local pub

Transport Minister Mark Bailey is being told by Palm Beach residents to “end this Facebook nonsense” and talk about the trams over a beer at the local hotel. READ THE FULL REPORT

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TRANSPORT Minister Mark Bailey is being told by Palm Beach residents to “end this Facebook nonsense” and talk about the trams over a beer at the local hotel.

Residents have reacted after Mr Bailey posted on a community Facebook page where he took a political shot at Burleigh MP Michael Hart who opposes the southern coastal route for the light rail.

Palm Beach where Mark Bailey has been invited for a beer. Picture Glenn Hampson.

Mr Bailey had earlier released a media response to the Bulletin about a tram study being kept confidential, and then made similar comments in post on the Palm Beach Locals page.

Mr Hart is furious, because he cannot get access to the closed community Facebook page.

Images: Evolution of Gold Coast light rail

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On his own Facebook page, Mr Hart posted: “As the local MP here I am not allowed to post on this page to keep it non-political, which I understand, but somehow he’s a member of a locals group in my electorate. Go figure.”

A resident wrote responding to Mr Bailey’s post wrote: “How about drive down to Palm Beach for a couple of days Mark and see the potential destruction the light rail will have — I’ll buy you a beer and have a serious chat about it not this Facebook nonsense.”

Palm Beach residents have invited Transport Minister Mark Bailey to "have a beer" with them instead of posting on Facebook over the light rail.

Another resident posted: “I’ll join you to chat with Mark as also. Maybe meet at Barefoot at 8.15 on school drop time. Or an arvo beer at 5 at the palmy hotel (sic). Then explain to us how it will work.”

Mr Hart in his post said the full multi-modal transport study was 120 page report but the government only released a 2 page glossy brochure.

“Neither myself, the local councillor or the public have been allowed to see this. Why do you think that is? The government’s consultation is non existent and frankly makes a mockery of our community,” he said.

Michael Hart, Mark Bailey — different views on light rail.

Mr Bailey told the Bulletin: “At the 2017 election, Michael Hart won all three Palm Beach booths. In 2020, he lost all three Palm Beach booths.

“It’s clear locals support light rail on the Gold Coast Highway, not Michael Hart’s threats to prevent heavy rail ever reaching the Gold Coast airport with his plan for trams to take over the heavy rail corridor.

“The southern Gold Coast community needs all three modes working together to prevent long term traffic gridlock — light rail, heavy rail and M1 upgrades.”

A letter on the light rail plan for Palm Beach written by Burleigh MP Michael Hart and addressed to Mark Bailey. Photo: Supplied

Mr Bailey has defended the department’s decision to release a two-page summary of the study.

Right to Information said the study identified “associated land requirements” for the Gold Coast Highway for the next 20 years and its release will “therefore have a negative impact for ongoing discussions and negotiations with stakeholders”.

“We’re doing the public transport planning for the Gold Coast that the LNP failed to do, with a multi-modal corridor study for the city’s south,’ Mr Bailey said.

“A detailed summary of that study’s findings has been made available to the public and confirmed out of the several alternate routes, the Gold Coast Highway route will benefit the community the most.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey — says Michael Hart not listening to the silent majority who support light rail. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

“Gold Coasters have backed light rail with 53 million trips taken on trams since they opened — because they get people where they want to go conveniently and that’s to work, to the beach, to school, university and local shops.”

Mr Bailey said light rail on the Gold Coast Highway to the airport would give residents easy access to Southern Cross University, local cafes and attractions like the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

“That means cars off congested roads with more attractive options for public transport. That plan also protects the heavy rail corridor for just that — heavy rail, so that people can access the southern Gold Coast via trams, trains and car.

“As the booth results at Palm Beach show, there’s a silent majority that Michael Hart should not and cannot ignore,” he said.

Follow @PaulWestonGC