Most residents want Gold Coast light rail connected to trains by 2018 Commonwealth Games

EXCLUSIVE: THE LNP has committed to extending light rail — with no time line, but Gold Coasters have made it clear — it must happen before 2018.

MORE than 80 per cent of Gold Coasters want the light and heavy rail systems connected before the Commonwealth Games, with 70 per cent of ­locals considering it “very ­important”.

An independent ReachTel survey, commissioned by the Gold Coast Bulletin, asked 1115 residents how important it was to finish stage two before 2018.

From those polled, 70.8 per cent said it was “very important”; a further 14 per cent said “somewhat important” and 11 per cent did not believe it was important. A further 4.2 per cent were unsure.

Do you think it’s important to have light rail extended by 2018? Let us know below:

POLLIES FOB OFF LIGHT RAIL PUSH

RELATED: LNP COMMIT TO LIGHT RAIL EXTENSION

The Bulletin has been campaigning for light rail extension for several months.

Premier Campbell Newman yesterday announced a re-elected LNP Government would “support” stage two of the light rail but gave no commitment to when it would be started.

According to the poll, almost three quarters — 74.5 per cent — of locals who intend to vote LNP say a pre-2018 connection is “very important” and only 10.4 per cent think the timing is not important.

The group most in favour of the pre-Games extension are those aged between 18-34; 75.4 per cent of them want a light-to-heavy rail link before 2018.

Stephen Harrison, chairman of the Light Rail Business Advisory Group, said confirmation a re-elected LNP Government would build the second stage was “fantastic”, but questioned their reluctance to commit to a pre-2018 finish.

“There is still the possibility of completing the works before the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

“That will be the best outcome for everyone.”

Mr Harrison said stage one had to be completed in small sections to reduce the impact on businesses but stage two could be completed in bigger, faster lengths.

“It’s much more straightforward and I’m certainly of the opinion that it can be done in time for the Commonwealth Games,” he said, adding that one tram trip carried the equivalent of five busloads of people — faster, easier and with less impact on the road network.

“It has the ability to really move high volumes of people in a short amount of time,” he said.

“That will be particularly important during events like the swimming.

“(And) linking up Brisbane to the Gold Coast will mean that we’re less susceptible to economic downturns.

“It really is transformative infrastructure.”

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO CONNECT THE LIGHT RAIL TRAM SYSTEM TO THE HEAVY RAIL TRAIN SYSTEM BEFORE THE 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES?

Very important 70.8%

Somewhat important 14.0%

Not important 11.0%

Unsure 4.2%