Tom Tate accuses Burleigh MP Hermann Vorster of arrogance after dismissing tram poll
Mayor Tom Tate says former councillor and now LNP MP Hermann Vorster is acting arrogantly by rejecting a council’s independent survey on light rail. Read his full comments.
Gold Coast
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Burleigh MP Hermann Vorster has been accused of arrogance and having his “head in the sand”, with Mayor Tom Tate and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon targeting his stance on trams.
In a social media post on Monday about council’s independent survey on light rail Stage Four to Coolangatta, Mr Vorster urged residents to take part in the consultation just launched by the Government.
“Loss of car parking and traffic impacts were the largest concerns for southern residents (from the council poll). This isn’t the survey that counts,” he posted.
Mr Tate told the Bulletin: “I think it is a little arrogant to dismiss the views of 1000 Gold Coast residents drawn from a range of demographics right across the city, including a healthy number of respondents from the State electorates of Burleigh and Currumbin.”
More than three quarters of Gold Coast residents say they will use light rail when it is built south to the airport, according to council’s survey.
At least 77 per cent of respondents backed using the trams once Stage Four was completed.
In the seven key southern suburbs, the result was “somewhat divided” with 48 per cent supporting trams going to the airport, and 44 per cent opposing it.
“This market research shows that many southern Gold Coasters support finalising the light rail to the airport,” Mr Tate said.
The research proved many residents do not feel well informed about the project following unfounded or exaggerated concerns around resumptions and loss of parking, he said.
Ms Scanlon said the Government had no interest in building generational infrastructure.
“Hermann Vorster has his head in the sand when it comes to light rail Stage Four,” she said.
“The LNP is refusing to back of the views of Gold Coasters and is instead relying on a sham survey and scaremongering.”
Mr Vorster said the council survey asked “some people their opinion of one option, rather than asking everyone their opinion of all options”.
“That’s why a limited council survey can’t compare to the official survey launched by the State Government as part of our review,” he said.
“We will put all routes and all modes back on the table — just like we promised and the southern Gold Coast voted for.
“I trust the southern Gold Coast to get it right, and the southern Gold Coast can trust the Crisafulli LNP Government to listen.
“I urge everyone on the southern Gold Coast to complete the official consultation, so their voices are heard loud and clear.”
Mr Vorster’s post was supported by outspoken anti-tram Palm Beach resident Karen Rowles.
“Only the ignorant support stage four of the Light Rail continuing to the airport on the Gold Coast Highway,” she wrote.
The Government surveying site asks for personal details, saying “only submissions with addresses will be considered to ensure the voices of southern Gold Coast residents are heard”.
Some residents on the Bulletin’s website said LNP MPs should stop listening “to a handful of loud, narrow minded whingers of Palm Beach” trying to veto citywide projects.
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