REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Thursday October 11, 2007

THE State Government planned to knock down at least four buildings to squeeze the $600 million rapid transit system through the heart of Surfers Paradise.

Surfers Real Estate owner Julie Roberts broke down in tears after Main Roads and TransLink officers told her that her business would be resumed.

Property owners along Surfers Paradise Boulevard braced themselves for resumption notices after the revelation that up to 70 title holders at the northern end of the street could be kicked out to make way for the new system.

Adding to the pain was the realisation the State Government had endorsed the controversial route from Southport to Broadbeach because it avoided the Indy track.

“I have been here since 1991 and I had no plans to move. This is where I am established and I spend more time in my office than I do at home,” said Ms Roberts.

“It’s not that I don’t support a new transport system but it’s the way it has been handled. Whatever happened to public consultation and transparency?’’

“The apartments that are affected provide affordable accommodation for people staying in Surfers Paradise and now what are they going to do?

“They didn’t even have the decency to produce an alternative route.”

Main Roads planned to resume the Surfers City Motel, Duvach Court, Raffles Royal and commercial ground floor section of the Centrepoint building.

Apartment owner Josh Thomas said he had not spoken to a single business or resident who supported the Southport to Broadbeach route.