Gold Coast is getting what it voted for with review into light rail stage four

OPINION: Some people seem shocked that light rail stage four is in peril, with electric buses now on the agenda. They shouldn’t be, writes Keith Woods.

This column finds one thing surprising about the new Crisafulli Government’s review into the proposed light rail stage four extension to Gold Coast Airport – the amount of people who appear to be surprised.

There are people who seem genuinely taken aback that the review is taking place. And positively dumbfounded that metro-style buses are being discussed as a possible alternative.

But this is something that has been coming for a very long time.

How do we know? They told us so. Clearly and repeatedly.

The review was first promised by then Shadow Transport Minister Steve Minnikin on May 17 last year.

“If we get in in October, what we will do is completely review stage four,” he told your columnist at a transport forum organised by the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce.

“ ... It (the review) would look at a range of things. It would look at existing routes, it would look at light rail, it would look at heavy rail, it would look at connections to the airport – I’m aware having spoken with Gold Coast Airport representatives what the alignments are. There would be a range of things to be looked at.

“We are pretty much agnostic when it comes to form or mode, whether it be light rail or heavy rail or better connectivity with existing systems.”

The message was reinforced days later by Currumbin MP Laura Gerber.

“The LNP will send light rail stage four back to the drawing board for proper consultation so that all routes and all modes can be considered, including heavy rail, including electric buses, including the east-west connections,” she told parliament.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie at a news conference on the Sunshine Coast last week. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Similar comments were made at the time by Jarrod Bleijie, now the Deputy Premier whose Department of Infrastructure is tasked with leading the review.

“Given Labor’s secrecy and the $7 billion price-tag, it is reckless not to seriously look at alternate options, including alternate routes and modes,” he said on May 30.

The Premier himself, as Opposition leader, made the same commitment on July 28.

“Let’s have a look at a business case, let’s have a look at routes and modes and let’s take the community on the journey,” he said.

The line that “all routes and modes” would be considered was repeated ad nauseum through the election campaign. The LNP position was crystal clear.

It meant people knew, or at least should have known, what they would get on this hottest of hot topics when they cast their ballots. Votes they cast in overwhelming numbers in 10 of 11 Gold Coast electorates – including in Burleigh and Currumbin – for LNP candidates.

This column notes that there have been a number of recent polls – including by council and this newspaper – showing broad support for light rail to continue to the airport. These provide valuable snapshots of public opinion and the views expressed should be taken into account.

But the poll that mattered most took place on 26 October 2024 and the verdict was resounding.

The LNP has a clear and undeniable electoral mandate for conducting this review. In doing so, they are merely fulfilling an election promise.

We’re getting what we voted for. No one should be surprised.

PROGRESSIVE? I DON’T THINK SO

This column is becoming increasingly irritated by the use of the self-aggrandising term ‘progressive’ when applied to certain people on the far left of politics.

People who publicly espouse views that appear to be adding fire to the putrid flames of anti-Semitism.

Tell me, what is in any way ‘progressive’ about dallying with the most ancient of racial hatreds?

With their rhetoric, these people instead risk dragging us back into a dark and dangerous past.

Follow @keithjwoods