Gimme 5 election wish list: Light to heavy rail extension vital before 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

MORE than 10,000 signed a petition to connect the light and heavy rail systems but the only result they’ve got is a letter from the transport minister.

Gold Coast light rail missing link campaign

MORE than 10,000 people signed a petition to connect the Gold Coast's $1.2 billion light rail system to the heavy rail network — but so far the only result they’ve got is a six-paragraph letter from the transport minister.

Southport MP Rob Molhoek lodged the petition at the end of November, and Minister Scott Emerson responded to petitioners by email two weeks later saying that a decision had not been made.

“The Government wants a value-for-money solution for Stage 2 for the light rail system and will assess the performance of Stage 1 before making a decision,” the response said.

More than 550,000 passengers a month have used the new Parkwood to Broadbeach light rail service since it began in July — more than 2.3 million trips had already been taken by the end of November.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson at Helensvale railway station. Picture: Luke Marsden.

The Government has commenced preliminary planning for a second stage of the system, linking it to the heavy rail at Helensvale.

However, with no funding, the connection is unlikely to be complete before the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The Labor Party has also refused to commit to a second stage — repeatedly calling on the Government to release details of a feasibility study on potential tram routes that was commissioned by Labor in 2011.

The State denies the study was ever commissioned.

The Government has previously said it could not announce funding of the second stage until after the election, which would give them a mandate for leasing state assets — a move that would reap about $1 billion for rail projects statewide.

Independent Gaven MP Alex Douglas believes the extension should be made through Parkwood, using a public-private funding partnership.

The proposal to link the light and heavy rail systems has received overwhelming support from the community. Picture: Kit Wise

Linking the light rail to the heavy rail has received overwhelming support from the community, business and — after encouragement from the Gold Coast Bulletin — local MPs.

Premier Campbell Newman, Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney and Mr Emerson have all publicly said they are in favour of the second stage, but have made no commitments on timing.

Mayor Tom Tate has also spoken in favour of a pre-2018 connection, pledging the same relative contribution council made to the first stage.