Tedder Ave tram plan hits buffers

THE light rail will not be going down Tedder Ave, according to Mayor Tom Tate.

But residents say they do not want to see trams in the area no matter which route they take.

Cr Tate made the sudden announcement at yesterday’s full council meeting as a part of his mayor’s report.

The mayor said he had seen preliminary results of the community consultation conducted on the project and those results were enough to make a definite decision.

“I will add a welcome note to the Main Beach community who we consulted with on the light rail,” Cr Tate said.

“At first glimpse there will be no light rail spur going down Tedder Ave.”

The announcement came after about 100 protesters gathered outside the council chambers to voice their dissent over the proposed tram spur line and the sale of the Bruce Bishop car park.

Strong opposition for the proposal for a Main Beach spur line arose last month after the council released four potential routes for a tramline to ferry people along The Spit as far as Sea World.

Three of those four proposals for the tramline included a route through Tedder Ave.

The council argued the line would help with traffic congestions issues, particularly if the controversial integrated resort development was passed.

A petition containing more than 2440 signatures against any tramline at Main Beach or along The Spit was also presented to council by Surfers Paradise councillor Gary Baildon.

Main Beach Association president David Hutley was sceptical of the announcement.

“At the moment that was an ‘off the top of the head remark’ by the Mayor and has not been officially endorsed,” he said.

“So all routes through Main Beach are still on the table.

“We have always believed that Cr Tate wanted the route through Rankin Parade and the routes through Tedder were just red herrings.”

Cr Tate said if the finalised results of the community consultation found a tramline was not wanted, the council would not push ahead with the project.

“If the majority are saying they don’t want light rail going down Main Beach at all I will ensure that the wish of the people is honoured,” he said.

The community consultation for light rail on Main Beach is expected to be presented to the City Infrastructure Committee in the coming weeks.

I WILL ENSURE THAT THE WISH OF THE PEOPLE IS HONOURED. MAYOR TOM TATE