RAIL PROJECT AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED

GOLD Coasters will look back on December 17 as a day which shows the good the city and its political leaders can do when they work together towards a common goal.

The launch of the light rail’s second stage two months ahead of schedule is a cause for celebration leading up to the Commonwealth Games and an achievement in which we can all share.

Failure is an orphan but success has many parents and there is no shortage of people who played a role in getting the dream of a tram-to-train link off the drawing board and into the metal, bricks and mortar which will carry thousands of people annually.

This newspaper campaigned strongly to get this tram link, as noted today by GoldlinQ’s own chairman John Witheriff, and our political leaders from both major parties reached across the aisle and worked together to cut a deal for the city’s future.

This is something they can be proud of but amid the backslapping and congratulations of yesterday’s launch, the time is now to look forward to the future and securing the much-needed southern links, which in time will connect with Gold Coast Airport. A fully integrated public transport network is essential and something which will not only take cars off the road but help boost our reputation among the 11 million visitors who come to the Gold Coast annually.

Tourism is our lifeblood and our biggest industry and already we have seen a positive reaction from both valued international and interstate visitors who have used stage one and expressed a strong and clear desire to see the link extended this year.

Patronage of the trams exceeded expectations in the 2016-17 financial year according to Budget documents with around eight million people riding the G. Expectations are already high for this financial year with nearly nine million passenger journeys expected.

These numbers speak for themselves and show that, far from the horror images put forward by critics in years past of a white elephant making the 13km journey without passengers, locals love the tram and crave easy and reliable transport.

With these figures in mind, political leaders must keep a clear head and work towards a fiscally sound funding solution for the Broadbeach to Burleigh link.

There must be no repeat of the near 18 months that stage two was treated like a political football.

The people have spoken and they want to see the light rail extended and the M1 fixed.

Transport is the biggest issue affecting the Gold Coast and the faster we find funding solutions to our infrastructure woes, the better the city will be.

Improvidence is not an option and further investment in the Gold Coast light rail will deliver fiscal and social dividends for all as we carve a prosperous future.