Gold Coast light rail: Burleigh MP Michael Hart dismisses claim Broadbeach to Burleigh tram needs to be built by Olympics
A war of words has broken out over the stalled light rail extension to Burleigh, with Transport Minister Mark Bailey being told to “spend less time on Twitter.
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A WAR of words has broken out over the stalled light rail extension to Burleigh, with Transport Minister Mark Bailey being told to “spend less time on Twitter.
Mr Bailey on Wednesday took to the social media platform to blast the Opposition over a split in the LNP over the tram extension.
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor is in favour of the project getting back on track following a contract dispute while Burleigh MP Michael Hart says there is no urgency in solving the issue.
hello minister please spend less time on Twitter and more time sorting out the Light Rail Stage 3 contract mess
— Sam O’Connor (@SamOConnorMP) May 5, 2021
“Another day, another @LNPQLD internal brawl. Demoted senior Gold Coast MP
@MichaelHartMP gives new frontbencher @SamOConnorMP a pasting over light rail in leader @DavidCrisafulli ’s local media,” he tweeted.
“What a shambles … no wonder @LNPQLD got nothing done on the GC when last in power.”
But Mr O’Connor, hit back at Mr Bailey for the public gibe.
“Hello Minister please spend less time on Twitter and more time sorting out the light rail stage 3 contract mess,” he said.
GC light rail only ever happens under state Labor Governments Sam have you noticed?
— Mark Bailey MP (@MarkBaileyMP) May 5, 2021
Your LNP GC MP’s rail against light rail - @jplangbroek did, Ray Stevens called it an ‘infliction’ & Hart plan to wreck it shows how weak @DavidCrisafulli & @SteveMinnikinMP are. What a rabble🙄
Mr Bailey responded, insisting: “GC light rail only ever happens under state Labor Governments Sam have you noticed?”
Your LNP GC MP’s rail against light rail - @jplangbroek did, Ray Stevens called it an ‘infliction’ & Hart plan to wreck it shows how weak @DavidCrisafulli & @SteveMinnikinMP are. What a rabble.”
Mr O’Connor responded, telling Mr Bailey to “Stop cherrypicking and deflecting and get the Stage 3 contract sorted.”
‘SO BE IT’: BURLEIGH IDENTITY’S BRAVE TAKE ON LIGHT RAIL
BURLEIGH MP Michael Hart has dismissed claims light rail must be finished in time for the Olympic Games, putting him at odds with his LNP colleagues.
Mr Hart hit back at fellow LNP MP and light rail supporter Sam O’Connor, who said on Monday the light rail “needs to be sorted out by the end of the financial year”.
Mr O’Connor said Stage 4 of the controversial project needs to be finished by the 2032 Olympic Games.
Mr Hart on Tuesday said: “I have a differing opinion on that, quite frankly.
“I don’t think there’s any urgency for light rail Stage 4 to be completed (by then) if it’s going to go through Palm Beach. If it’s another route, then absolutely.
“People in my electorate deserve to be consulted, and if that takes time then it takes time.
“It’s my job to represent the people of Burleigh and if that puts me at odds with anyone, LNP or Labor, then so be it.”
Mr Hart was last month forced to deny he was on a collision course with LNP leader and Broadwater MP David Crisafulli, who declared he would not be part of any discussions which could slow light rail’s progress.
JUST SEVEN WEEKS TO SECURE BUILDER
THE state government has seven weeks to secure a builder for the next phase of light rail to Burleigh if construction is to begin this year.
Political and business leaders say June 30 is the cut-off date for a contract to be signed, given it takes six months to confirm staff, equipment and construction permits.
The Bulletin last month revealed Stage 3 from Broadbeach to Burleigh was facing delays and cost blow outs because the contractor the state government announced last October was yet to sign off on the $709m deal.
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The government insists it is back at the negotiating table with John Holland Group and remains confident work can begin this year.
Construction of the 6.7km line was scheduled to start in January-March 2021.
“This needs to be sorted out by the end of the financial year,” Opposition MP and light rail supporter Sam O’Connor said. “Time is of the essence and it should have been all ready to go.”
The Bonney MP warned delays would reverberate for years and drive up the cost of future projects, including the multi-billion Stage 4, which must be built for the 2032 Olympic Games.
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“The light rail, along with the second M1, is our biggest infrastructure project.
“For all future legs of this system, we need to get the contracts locked in before each stage is finished because otherwise we will continue to lose momentum and lose the people who work on it.”
Mr O’Connor said it had been nearly four years since construction finished on Stage 2 to Helensvale and nearly three years since the council, state and federal governments committed their funding to Stage 3.
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Transport Minister Mark Bailey said negotiations were ongoing: “We are still aiming to start building Stage 3 this year.”
Mayor Tom Tate said council’s budget deliberations, which start in the next week, would be based around construction beginning later this year, meaning a deal must be struck this financial year.
“I am very confident that Stage 3 will be underway soon,” he said.
“Council will plan its 2021-22 budget commitments based on that and I look forward to seeing any final contractual matters sorted by June 30.”
Cr Tate also reaffirmed that council would not chip in any extra money to cover the blowout.
Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall, who sits on the light rail business advisory committee, said it was crucial the roll out of Stage 3 did not mirror the delays and lack of consultation with businesses operators that marred Stage 1.
“Before construction begins we need to ensure there is support in place for the 200 or so businesses along the route which will be directly affected by the work,” he said.
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“We need this public transport going forward for the future success of the Coast, particularly looking down the barrel of the 2032 Olympic Games.”
Stage 3 has been in the works since the second stage from Helensvale to Gold Coast University Hospital was completed in late 2017.
In recent months the state government’s focus had turned to the route study and community consultation on Stage 4, which will run from Burleigh Heads to the border.
Originally published as Gold Coast light rail: Burleigh MP Michael Hart dismisses claim Broadbeach to Burleigh tram needs to be built by Olympics
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