PALMY SNUB ‘BALMY’
SOUTHERN Gold Coast small business owners are pleading for the tram extension to Gold Coast Airport to swing their way as originally proposed, fearing they will miss a big customer bump.
Mayor Tom Tate has unveiled an alternative route turning right after Tallebudgera Creek and following the heavy rail line to bypass “whingers” at Palm Beach.
But a majority of business operators down south urged sticking to the coastal route.
One owner said: “I understand why locals don’t want it, but they probably don’t own a small business.”
SOUTHERN Gold Coast business owners are aghast at Mayor Tom Tate’s push for light rail to sidestep Palm Beach and its “whingers”, fearing they will miss a huge commercial bump.
The majority of a dozen Palm Beach, Currumbin and Tugun business operators spoken to at the weekend wanted the original track plan to go ahead, running along Gold Coast Hwy.
Owner of newly opened Palm Beach fish and chip shop Hunky Dory, Tory Trewitt, said he “can’t wait” for the light rail Stage 4 to Gold Coast Airport to follow the Gold Coast Hwy as originally planned.
“It will add value. I’m an advocate,” he said. “The more people who can get here, the better.
“I understand absolutely why locals don’t want it, but they probably don’t own a small business. My uncle lives in Palmy and he’s against it. He doesn’t want it because he bought here 30 years ago.”
Wildernis Cafe and Bar manager Isaac Burton agreed with the original State Government plans.
“It would be great news to bring it this way (along the Gold Coast Hwy),” he said.
“It creates more (customer) traffic for us. My previous job was at the Southport RSL and they had the exact same issue.
“When they were (building) that, people were worried about the traffic. (But) It made it so much easier.
“It’s a short-term pain for a long-term gain.”
Their reactions come after a fed-up Cr Tate revealed a radical new plan for light rail Stage 4 to the Gold Coast Airport that bypassed the three southern suburbs Palm Beach, Currumbin and Tugun.
He raised the prospect of it turning right on to Nineteenth Ave after crossing Tallebudgera Creek. The line would then follow the heavy rail corridor and join up with the airport at Coolangatta.
Some southern businesses rejected both the original plan to go south along the Gold Coast Hwy and Cr Tate’s alternative Nineteenth Ave proposal outlined on Saturday.
Cr Tate said on Sunday all voices would be heard.
“We all have a view on what is best for light rail Stage 4,” he said.
“With Stage 3 funded and the tender process happening, it is done and dusted so the plan now should be what can be done to light rail Stage 4 all the way to the airport and Coolangatta, as well as start negotiations with the NSW Government to find out their political will to take it into northern NSW.
“It is important we start the planning and consultation process in the near future and this is why we have put funding in the budget so we are ready, willing and able to roll up our sleeves with our resources and funds.
“I await the Premier’s announcement and we can get going with this.”
Tugun Village Florist owner Penny Mavroidis said she wanted the light rail to pass by her shop. “To take it straight through is good because it brings more business. I don’t think it’s a bad thing,” she said.
Ralph White, owner of Palm Beach shop Ralph White Music for 52 years, is not in favour of it coming his way. “It’s bad news. There’s a saying – if things are working, don’t change it,” he said.
A Ralph White Music shop assistant agreed, believing light rail would see crime rise.
“Everywhere it has gone has had crime rates go up,” he said. “Thousands of residents who live in the Hinterland would have to travel all the way out to the highway just to catch the tram.
“It should be more in service for Hinterland people.
“The best thing they could have done was hit right at (Burleigh) and go through Bermuda St. It would have serviced more of the Gold Coast. It won’t be as much value (here).”
The owners of a newly opened business along the Gold Coast Hwy, who didn’t want to be named, are worried it would “bring in the wrong crowd”.
“Around here is very local and community orientated. It’s going to ruin the vibe.”