United front to take on tram extension

SOUTHERN Gold Coast community groups have united in their fight against trams, backing heavy rail to the border as their preferred public transport option.

The Bulletin can reveal the groups, after weeks of negotiations between leaders, reached agreement on the best way forward in their campaign against Stage 4 of the light rail, which will run from Burleigh to Coolangatta.

The protest from the south had previously been splintered and messaging muddled, with some key players supporting a tram route west of Burleigh down the heavy rail corridor.

But six key community groups have united with a statement of position on public transport – and it puts them on a collision course with Gold Coast City Council and the state government.

Friends of Currumbin, Tugun Progress Association, Gecko, Community Alliance, Palm Beach-Elanora Community Group and Save Our Southern Gold Coast all support improved public transport but it does not include the trams.

Save Our Southern Gold Coast leader Kath Down was a key architect of the agreement.

In a statement provided exclusively to the Bulletin, they said: “Finish heavy rail to the Gold Coast Airport as the priority. Go back to the drawing board to conduct a comprehensive, transparent, publicly accessible evaluation of all mode options, including light rail and renewable energy vehicles such as zero emission buses and Brisbane Metrostyle trackless trams.”

Transport Minister Mark Bailey has welcomed the announcement because it ends speculation about any support for the trams using the heavy rail corridor.

He said the government has a plan for the southern Gold Coast which includes a $1 billion M1 upgrade along with light rail and heavy rail to Coolangatta.

The business case for light rail Stage 4 is to be completed later this year.

Cost estimates suggest $2.7 billion for the extension from Burleigh to the airport and Coolangatta.