Palm Beach residents shared mixed feelings at new proposed Gold Coast light rail stage 4 routes

Palm Beach residents in the firing line of proposed new alternative light rail routes have let their opinions rip on what they think of moving it into residential streets – and their responses will surprise you.

Southern Gold Coasters in the firing line of proposed new alternative light rail routes have mixed feelings, saying it would lift crime, property prices and destroy their “quiet” lifestyle.

But some residents say the proposed new light rail routes – recently revealed in a study to go via Palm Beach’s Cypress Terrace, Townson Ave or Mallawa Drive – would be “progress”.

The newly revealed proposed routes come after McPherson MP and Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews told her federal government to hold off on funding for it going along the Gold Coast Highway through Palm beach.

The Bulletin doorknocked residents on affected streets, with some saying cutting into residential streets from the highway route is a “great idea” while others weren’t so pleased.

Cypress Terrace resident and financial advisor Terrell Hyman said “it’s ridiculous and “it’s never going to work”.

Mr Hyman is thoroughly sceptical of the tram. Picture: Richard Gosling

People used Cypress Ave and other connecting streets to avoid traffic, he said.

Neighbour and paramedic Daniel Gundersen, 31, said a tram running through the residential streets would increase crime in the area.

Mr Gundersen, 31, a paramedic, sees the economic benefit of the tram. Picture: Richard Gosling

“From an economic standpoint, it’ll lift the value of the house, but I can’t say I’m too pleased. It won’t help activity in the area that’s for sure,” he said.

Townson Ave resident Tim Birmingham says: “It makes sense to move it one street over but not when it’s on your front door.”

“One of our benefits is that it is nice and quiet here. This means we become the mainstream, it’ll become very central.

“It’ll definitely take parking away and become much more of a tourist destination.”

Mr Birmingham sees the potential new tram route as a mixed blessing. Picture: Richard Gosling

Bring it on, says Ms Dean. Picture: Richard Gosling

But Mallawa Drive resident Roth Thomson said: “It’s about time Australia has got with it.

“I’m all for advancement.”

Neighbour and active public transport user Claire Dean “would love to see it come through”.

“Parking would have been difficult on the Gold Coast Highway, so that’s progress isn’t it.

“It’s great for getting around locally and connecting,” she said.

Queensland Rail worker and Townson Avenue resident Zoran Siljanoski said that “it’s ludicrous and stupid”, saying “heavy rail is the way to go” to connect the Gold Coast and Brisbane airports.

Mr Siljanoski, a Queensland Rail worker, has questioned why heavy rail isn’t the solution. Picture: Richard Gosling

“Big cities have all got heavy rail from the airport to the cities, why not here? The government already has the land for the heavy rail from Varsity, just keep going to the airport.

“It all comes down to money,” he told the Bulletin.

“I know it’s costly, but at the end of the day they have to do it at some point so just do it now.

“It might cost a couple of million dollars per kilometre more than the light rail, but it just makes sense with the Olympic games happening.”

Mr Siljanoski, who has worked for Queensland Rail for 18 years and lived in Townson Ave for 10 years, said “if they are going to go ahead with it” the government should “stick to the original plan that everyone saw” of running the light rail along the Gold Coast Highway through Palm Beach.

“There’s no use cutting in and going back out - it just doesn’t make sense. Maybe I should keep my house and sell to some developers to put the tram stop here,” he joked.

Earlier this week, state transport minister Mark Bailey said the alternate Palm Beach residential street routes would result in 150 homes being bought by the government.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey provided an update on Gold Coast light rail at the airport on May 16. Picture: Richard Gosling

He added whichever of those three street routes Ms Andrews chose would be southerners would suffer.

A spokesperson for Ms Andrews replied: It’s a desperate move from Mark Bailey. Mrs Andrews is far from hiding - she’s speaking to locals each day, all day on pre-poll.

“As we know - Mark Bailey avoided Palm Beach locals by shifting the location of his press conference at the last minute. He’s got no credibility.”