Letter of the Week

Have strong opinions, write in an engaging way? You could win our Letter of the Week, and with it a book from our friends and sponsors, the publishers HarperCollins. This month’s book prize is Queen of the North by Anne O’Brien. To those around her she is a loyal subject. In her heart she is a traitor. In 1399 the fight for England’s crown has dire consequences. This is one woman’s quest to turn history on its head.

Rules: Best letter competition runs until January 19 next year. Entries close each Thursday at 5pm. The winner is selected by 2pm each Friday. Book of the month valued up to $49. Entrants agree to the Competition Terms and Conditions located at www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/ entertainment/competitions, and our privacy policy. Entrants consent to their information being shared with HarperCollins for the express purpose of delivering prizes.

IT was good to see Steve Ciobo supporting investment in our public transport on the Coast this week (‘Bite the bullet and fast-track speed’, GCB, 6/6/18).

I agree that Gold Coasters need and deserve high quality public transport.

That’s why the Palaszczuk Government has funded two stages of the light rail and has committed to a feasibility study for the next stage.

We have also committed to building three new train stations on the Gold Coast, as well as building Cross River Rail, which will mean a fifteen minute shorter commute for Gold Coasters travelling to Brisbane and over 3,000 additional seats during peak time.

Only last year we finished the duplication of the heavy rail line from Coomera to Helensvale stations which completes the missing link on the Gold Coast line to deliver increased capacity.

While Mr Ciobo’s embrace of a more efficient public transport system is welcome, it would have been helpful to have sooner.

Unfortunately Mr Ciobo has shown in the past he would rather toe his party line than stick out his neck for the Gold Coast.

Infamously, Mr Ciobo stood nodding behind then Prime Minister Tony Abbott when he made the proclamation that the Federal Government was “not in the business of funding urban public transport” when asked about funding for Stage 2 of the light rail.

This attitude, and an LNP State Government, meant development of the light rail was stopped.

It was only after significant lobbying and funding from the Palaszczuk Government that the Federal Government got on board with the Palaszczuk Government committing the majority of the funding.

Imagine how much further along the Light Rail could have been if Mr Ciobo and the Turnbull Government actually stood up for the people of the Gold Coast.

Unfortunately, we’re seeing it again, with the Turnbull Governments refusal to fund Cross River Rail, which would mean a shorter commute into Brisbane for Gold Coasters, more trains running every hour and less commuters on the M1.

Malcolm Turnbull and Steven Ciobo have refused to fund this vital investment which will help reduce congestion.

I can only imagine that Mr Ciobo will again wait until it’s been built before he expresses his support for it.

I’m tired of the LNP’s “wait and see” approach. We need action on Gold Coast public transport.

MEAGHAN SCANLON MP, STATE MEMBER FOR GAVEN

AS a founding and long standing former member of the Light Rail Business Advisory Group, a group that initially included then Chamber boss and now Mayor Tom Tate, the future building benefits of the light rail are well understood.

Stage 1 from Broadbeach to Southport presented many challenges. It travelled through the most expensive and highly commercialised real estate in the city, over outdated underground services in need of upgrading. Business would be disrupted and the group was determined to ensure that the majority of jobs would go to locals to compensate. Stage 2 was built learning from those lessons of stage 1. In achieving local content and patronage, the project was successful well beyond expectations.

The light rail is part of a whole of city integrated public transport and traffic management strategy designed to deal with the future needs of our growing community.

Change is inevitable. Nothing remains the same. We complain about gridlock, the rising cost of fuel and the frustration of extended travelling times. Time is money. Our city is far different to what it was 30 years ago and the next 30 will see even greater change placing more pressure on our transport system exacerbating the challenges we face today.

Connecting our communities and businesses with efficient and affordable public transport is a critical part of underpinning future economic and social security. It is understandable that some fear the disruption or cost stage 3 will create. But it is also true that without it we will be far worse off and to rectify that would be far more costly and disruptive.

Planning stage 3 is about existing and future catchment areas, how they integrate with other forms of transport and how it serves and expands tourism, an industry that supports our economy and job growth. Failure to factor all of these requirements into the route of stage 3 by bowing to shortsighted pressure from any faction would have far reaching consequences. Getting it right the first time and moving forward with purpose and confidence is the planning and leadership we as a city need.

BOB JANSSEN, PRESIDENT, GOLD COAST & HINTERLAND BUSINESS ALLIANCE

CONGRATULATIONS to the Roads Minister for his Road Signs on the M1- advising motor cyclists to use their 6th sense! It is a wasted message as 95% of motor cyclists have no sense.

PAK WILLIAMS, NERANG