More than three quarters of residents will use light rail when built to Gold Coast Airport

A new survey of Gold Coast residents has recorded some remarkable results about their views on trams – and whether they would be hopping on board to go to the airport. Here’s what researchers found.

More than three quarters of Gold Coast residents say they will use light rail when it is built south to the airport, according to findings of a new independent survey.

The research for Gold Coast City Council shows 77 per cent of respondents backed using the trams once Stage Four was completed.

More than eight out of ten residents living in the entire tram corridor expect to use it.

A majority of residents (76 per cent) support extending the line to the airport, with only 15 per cent opposed.

Consultants Insightfully conducted the survey of 1000 residents in January, before the State Government announced it was stalling Stage Four to conduct its own review and exploring a bus option.

The council’s independent survey was citywide but also targeted residents in the hot spots of Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach, Elanora, Currumbin Tugun, Coolangatta and Bilinga.

A new council commissioned survey shows majority support for light rail to the Gold Coast Airport. New Burleigh LNP MP Hermann Vorster promised a review on the trams to voters. Mayor Tom Tate wants the project to continue.

In those seven key suburbs, the results are as follows:

* Almost half the residents (48 per cent) say roads is the top local issue, their concerns being about congestion, maintenance and safety.

* Almost two thirds of residents (62 per cent) say they will use light rail once completed — almost a third say that would be at least once a month.

* Residents are “somewhat divided”, with 48 per cent supporting trams going to the airport and 44 per cent opposing it.

A council source said: “This is proper, detailed research. It asked a lot of specific questions. This is proper polling – with the State Government’s surveying there is an emphasis on only Burleigh and Currumbin.”

Support for the tram is strongest among renters and retirees (both 78 per cent), and those who do not have a car (84 per cent), the City survey revealed.

Consultants believe those residents opposed felt they did not have enough information about the tram’s highway route through Palm Beach.

“This shows that an increase in information about the route could be warranted,” consultants wrote.

Projected route of stage four of the light rail.

Residents were asked to rate several local concerns and more than half nominated traffic and public transport (55 per cent), ahead of crime (29 per cent), along with planning and population growth (25 per cent).

“Half of Gold Coast residents specifically want council to address roads issues. Concerns about crime, youth crime and anti-social behaviour significantly outweigh anti-light rail mentions 29 per cent to four per cent,” consultants wrote.

Residents complained about “traffic jams every day” and holiday car congestion.

Researchers said it was clear that those people living on the existing rail route were “significantly more likely to use public transport” and “significantly less likely to travel mainly by car”.

The Mayor Tom Tate — questions State Government consultation on trams. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

More than a third of Gold Coasters say they will use the trams at least once a month when Stage Four is completed. At least two thirds of those in the southern suburbs say they will ride the light rail.

“Despite being among the lowest expected light rail usage groups, still a third of people opposed to the light rail Stage Four say they will use light rail once Stage Four is completed,” consultants said.

“The number of Gold Coasters who support completing the light rail outweighs the number of opponents five to one.”

But the research found the local opposition in the southern suburbs is “strong” with a third (34 per cent) of residents opposed.

Young women aged 18 to 34 years along with casual employees and those with “three or more cars in their household” are the biggest opponents.

“Those who are feel relatively uninformed about the Stage Four extension are also those who are least supportive of the plan,” consultants said.

Mayor Tom Tate has questioned the Government releasing a media statement before conducting its consultation saying 235 properties were at risk of resumption in Stage Four.

“The last time I looked it was less than half of that, and lot of it was only a metre in the front yard or a little bit of it, but when you read the release there are going to be 235 homes you are going to lose your house and time that with the consultation – anyone would go I don’t want this,” Mr Tate said.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said everyone can fill out the consultation but the views of southern Gold Coasters “will be taken into more consideration”.

Burleigh MP Hermann Vorster said the Government’s review is about “protecting” the south.

“The southern Gold Coast has its own character, its own lifestyle and its own precious environment but all of that was put at risk by a flawed process,” he said, referring to Labor’s previous surveying.

The Bulletin in a report 12 months ago revealed the cost of Stage Four could be as much as $7.6 billion – up from the expected $4 billion.

The LNP in the State poll last October promised a review and improved consultation with southern residents, but the City along with Mayor Tom Tate and a majority of councillors support pushing forward with the project.

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

WHAT RESIDENTS SAY IN THE SURVEY

Residents in favour:

“Ease traffic conditions. Ease cost of driving and petrol.”

“Getting cars of the road is a great thing if there is safe, reliable public transportation that is also affordable.”

“We’re a big city and it is necessary for so many people coming here every month. We’ve got a great bus system, but we need light rail, too. We’ll have a lot of tourists and they’ll need to have transport. When I’m not driving when I’m older, I can get on it.”

Residents against:

“It will require two bridge crossings, and that’s a massive undertaking. The area it will travel down the Gold Coast Highway is through Palm Beach, and that’s already heavily snarled with traffic.”

“I don’t know how they will do it through Palm Beach. There are not enough lanes, it’s too clogged up. The roads aren’t wide enough.”

“I feel that Tallebudgera to Palm Beach is beautiful enough as it is, and a light rail will destroy the beauty even further than just adding in apartment buildings that are way too high.”

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