Anti-rail campaigner Karen Rowles’ comments on Light Rail Stage 4 labelled ‘dangerous’ by TMR

Light rail protesters have been warned to stop their ‘scaremongering campaign’ after some outspoken residents talked up housing resumptions. JOIN THE DEBATE

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THE state transport department is warning anti-tram protesters to stop “dangerous” scaremongering after residents talked up housing resumptions on the future southern track.

TMR on its Facebook page posted: “Heard a rumour that resumption letters are turning up in Gold Coast mailboxes?

“It’s not true — they aren’t resumptions’ notices. The letters are to make sure our stakeholders who are directly affected by the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 know what’s going on *before* (sic) we head out to consult with the wider community.

“This kind of scaremongering’s really dangerous so we’re keen to set the record straight. Everyone will have the opportunity to participate in the consultation process — to ask questions and give face-to-face feedback.”

Images: Evolution of Gold Coast light rail

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Anti-light rail campaigner Karen Rowles struck back responding with at least 32 replies in a marathon blitz which began at 8.30pm on Friday. She continued to 7am on Monday on the Department’s Facebook page.

The outspoken Palm Beach resident, responding to TMR’s headline “Rumour”, put up gifs of Michael Jackson in Thriller saying “This is more entertaining than a the Friday Night movie” and Marcia Brady from The Brady Bunch saying “nice try Jan”, a typical bitchy reference to her younger sister.

Screenshots of anti-light rail campaigner Karen Rowles leaving more than three dozen comments on a single Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Facebook post about letters sent to residents on the light rail route.

TMR’s response to the series of comments.

A laughing image of Donald Trump was used along with American president Joe Biden saying “give me a break”.

Ms Rowles has mocked any attempt by the government to produce a detailed business case.

But the Department on Facebook said: “Any future project decisions will be subject to a detailed business case.”

Burleigh MP Michael Hart, who has lobbied for all routes south to be considered including west through Varsity Lakes, said Palm Beach properties would be resumed.

“Well that’s their intention at the end of the day, that’s why they are sending their letters out, they have to do it,” Mr Hart said.

Screenshots of anti-light rail campaigner Karen Rowles leaving more than three dozen comments on a single Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Facebook post about letters sent to residents on the light rail route.

“People’s properties are going to be affected and they are obliged to notify them. My beef with the whole thing is they are railroading the route through Palm Beach without any real consultation or real proof this is the best way for it to go.

“If the Government wasn’t determined to send light rail down the Gold Coast Highway through Palm Beach they wouldn’t have sent those letters out.”

Mr Hart said property owners on other potential routes had not received letters, and those who did would have restrictions hanging over their properties.

Ms Rowles said the community was “shocked and appalled” by the Department’s post, and claimed she had gained hundreds of Facebook followers since the comment spree.

Karen Rowles. Photo by Richard Gosling

“I didn’t even follow their page, someone alerted me to it,” she said.
“The community’s position is that (Palm Beach) won’t accept the light rail, we will fight and the fight will not go away.

“The fight’s actually gaining momentum.

“They’re accusing me of scaremongering but the letters that have been sent out have maps showing how much land people might lose to the light rail.

“They think we’re stupid. I’m shocked and appalled that (Transport Minister) Mark Bailey would have the hide to put up such a post accusing me of being dangerous when I have the support of the community.”

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Originally published as Anti-rail campaigner Karen Rowles’ comments on Light Rail Stage 4 labelled ‘dangerous’ by TMR