Call for improved community consultation as southern Gold Coast tram plan widened

Anti-light rail campaigners are welcoming a business case exploring other transport modes on the southern Gold Coast than trams. But they are demanding improved consultation.

Anti-light rail campaigners are welcoming a business case exploring other transport modes on the southern Gold Coast than trams. But they are demanding improved consultation.

The Bulletin in a report on Monday revealed an investigation by both council and the State Government into light rail Stage 4 to the border will look at “multiple options”.

Councillor Hermann Vorster asked a Question on Notice to clarify whether the preliminary business case only involved evaluating trams. Officers confirmed it would be wider.

Robina-based Councillor Hermann Vorster — asking light rail questions. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Save Our Southern Gold Coast leader Kath Down “welcomed the news that alternate modes are to be considered”.

“We hope that this is done in a transparent and integral manner, with substantial changes to the so-called community consultation that we have witnessed thus far,” Ms Down said.

“We still have not been able to obtain business case studies of stages one, two, and three and post-completion reports and studies on stages one and two as requested on multiple occasions.

“If light rail stacks up, why are these documents being kept from groups such as SOSGC when we are in meetings with TMR and our Federal Government. After all, our elected officials are voted in by the people to serve the people and sadly this is not what we are witnessing right now.”

Residents voting to stop Light Rail Stage Four at a meeting at Tugun organised by Save Our Southern Gold Coast leader Kath Down.

Civic campaigner Nicolle Archer in a Facebook post asked why the government and council was moving to a business case if community consultation had been “mishandled”.

“Why not review by consulting the community. My pessimism foresees a hastened business case would favour light rail stage four on the Gold Coast Highway over any other route or transport,” Ms Archer said.

She said the council had been “equally as combative” with residents on consultation as the Government and questioned the integrity of its “neighbourhood framework committees”.

“Truth is a very hard thing to get back when consistently and mirthfully broken,” she said.

EARLIER:

The investigation by both Gold Coast City Council and the state government into light rail Stage 4 to the border will consider other public transport options, new documents reveal.

In a shock response, council officers have admitted the “preliminary evaluation of the process will look at multiple options including other transport modes”.

It comes as civic leaders nominated the need for the tram extension between Burleigh Heads and the border via the airport by the 2032 Olympics as the number one priority for the city at the Bulletin’s Future Gold Coast forum this past week.

Robina-based councillor Hermann Vorster in a Question on Notice at council had sought clarification on whether the preliminary business case, now underway, only involved evaluating the trams.

“Will this business case countenance competing transport modes – or will its assessment be limited to light rail alone,” Cr Vorster wrote.

Officers in their response said business case development for large projects like GCL4 required a comprehensive and “robust 3 stage business case process”.

Save Our Southern Gold Coast supporters prepare for a rally against the trams going to the border.

Stage one considered extent of the transport problem and the strategic need for the project.

On Stage two, officers wrote: “This evaluation needs to countenance the transport options including other transport modes to resolving the identified transport problems.”

The final stage 3 is a detailed business case outlining the economic justification of the project.

“This evaluation needs to countenance all transport modes – including other transport modes – to resolving the identified transport problems,” the officer response said.

“Connectivity to and from the airport is critical to tourism and we need this to be seamless,” she said.

Cr Vorster when asked for his personal response said he was “very sympathetic” to community groups and residents seeking answers on light rail.

The Bulletin understands leaders of anti-light rail groups in the past week met with Cr Vorster.

Save Our Southern Gold Coast which staged a town-hall meeting on Thursday and began marching in the streets on Saturday supports hydrogen and solar powered buses along with extending heavy rail from Varsity to the border.

Save Our Southern Gold Coast supporters preparing to march against the trams going to the border.

“The state government has mishandled its light rail communication badly and it has left southern communities frustrated and angry,” Cr Vorster said.

“What apparent is that the biggest questions relate to process and transparency – and that’s the first thing the state must fix.

“Fear has filled the information gap and I want to help correct the record in places and champion change in others.”

Cr Vorster believes the best way to get answers was to accelerate the business case.

“It’s that work which will have to prove investment stacks up for the future economic, social and environmental welfare of the city,” he said.

Councillor Hermann Vorster — asking questions of light rail on behalf of residents. Picture: Jerad Williams.

“In a twist for some, the business case will examine alternative modes of public transport and will not be limited to light rail. And I’ve worked hard to get that put on public record.”

Cr Vorster said he understood some residents were opposed to light rail while others wanted the best option pursued.

“The Cross River Rail disaster and light rail stage three blowouts mean the State has a lot of catching up to do — and it’s about time they strap on their running shoes,” he said.

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