RAIL POLL UNLIKELY

Overwhelming support for tram extension to push on to Burleigh

MERMAID Beach MP Ray Stevens has failed to secure backing from LNP colleagues for a referendum on extending the light rail to Burleigh. Mr Stevens has joined fellow Coast MPs Michael Hart and Jann Stuckey in voicing concerns about the Broadbeach to Burleigh route. He said a referendum should happen straight away so residents could have a say. But many of his party are in favour of extending the rail to Gold Coast Airport.

SENIOR Gold Coast LNP MPs have refused to back a push by one of their own colleagues for a referendum to be held on extending the light rail to Burleigh. Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens has joined a potential U-turn by the Opposition on extending the trams, supporting fellow Coast MPs Michael Hart and Jann Stuckey in voicing concerns about the Broadbeach to Burleigh route. “The referendum should be all inclusive of residents on the rolls in those areas and should take place immediately before the project is set in stone,” he said. “Only that way will a definitive view on whether light rail 3A should proceed be achieved to change the amenity of those suburbs forever.” Mr Stevens’ comments came after the Gold Coast Bulletin revealed on Monday a $112 million election funding pledge by the Federal Government could see construction on the section to Burleigh start by early next year. But Mr Stevens has received no support from his colleagues, with many in favour of seeing the tram link extended to Gold Coast Airport. Rookie Bonney MP Sam O’Connor is an enthusiastic supporter of the light rail and backed the southern link. “The sooner we get light rail south, including eventually to the Gold Coast Airport, the sooner we can start looking at spur lines,” he said. Southport MP Rob Molhoek, a long-time supporter of the system said there was no need for a referendum. “My position on this is unfaltering – I fought for stages 1 and 2 and I will fight for stages 3, 4 and beyond,” he said. Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek and Mudgeeraba MP Ros Bates both said they supported the extension, pending the completion of the business case. “There needs to be consultation with the community about the route, as well as with businesses about potential disruption,” Mr Langbroek said. A Gold Coast Bulletin online poll conducted last night found 58.8 per cent respondents were against holding a referendum on the tram route. The Gold Coast’s sole Labor MP, Gaven’s Meaghan Scanlon, ridiculed the idea of a referendum. “This is just another example of Gold Coast LNP MPs lobbying against infrastructure Gold Coasters need and want,” she said. The 6.4km route will run down the centre of the Gold Coast Highway between the Broadbeach South station at Pacific Fair to Burleigh Heads. Eight new stops are proposed along the highway as part of the $660 million stage 3A. The State Government and Gold Coast City Council will finalise a business case on the project by December. The move to fast-track the funding could allow construction to start as early as midnext year, allowing passengers to board the trams by late 2021. LNP leader Deb Frecklington’s office did not respond to questions about whether she supported Mr Stevens’ call for a referendum but in a statement she said it was essential the route was correct. “The Government needs to get the light rail route right – we are waiting for the multi modal study to be completed,” she said. “Light rail needs to work with the M1 and heavy rail.”