Tedder Ave tram red light
MAIN BEACH residents are opposed to a light rail link through Tedder Ave to The Spit, a Gold Coast Bulletin election forum will be told tonight.
Main Beach Association leader Sue Donovan has revealed the key council initiatives wanted by her members – and they do not include a tram service or an offshore cruise ship terminal.
The Bulletin’s You Decide election forums start tonight with a sold-out meeting to be attended by candidates in Division 10 and 12 at the Kurrawa Surf Club at Broadbeach from 6pm. Those unable to get seats can watch the forum live at goldcoastbulletin.com.au
The Bulletin last year detailed a radical new light rail plan as a solution to gridlock likely to be caused by the oceanside CST at Philip Park.
A Spit master plan consultant team suggested a single tram line to the terminal and tourist attractions was a solution to solving gridlock at Sea World Drive.
Ms Donovan said residents understood that the city was facing tough times in the next four years due to the coronavirus and it would “not be business as usual” for council.
“There will be no money in the budget to splash on unfunded whims,” she said.
“Although supportive of the light rail servicing Griffith University, the hospitals and the heavy rail at Helensvale, we deplore the permanent damage inflicted by the poor design of the light rail route on Surfers Paradise and Southport.
“We believe light rail is now superseded by the new technology providing much cheaper, more flexible systems.”
Residents were supportive of other forms of public transport and urged council to continue with its ferry trial.
“We love the HOPA ferry but believe that new stops need to be added to make it viable. It should have a dock near to Tedder Ave – and also take passengers up to the tip of The Spit, with room for bikes and surf boards,” Ms Donovan said.
The MBA has devoted enormous amounts of time to fighting developments in Main Beach that were outside the requirements of the City Plan in areas such as site coverage and setbacks, Ms Donovan said.
“We pride ourselves on our knowledge of the City Plan and are frustrated when the provisions of the light rail urban renewal overlay are used to approve high-rise buildings that are overly bulky and impinge on the quality of life of those living adjacent.
“We want a councillor who has the experience needed to be appointed to the Economic Planning and Environment Committee where he or she can keep a very close eye on development applications.”
SOLD OUT. AT GOLDCOASTBULLETIN. COM.AU FROM 6PM
SEATS AVAILABLE