Battle brewing for MP
A SENIOR LNP frontbencher has been advocating a radical new route for the Gold Coast light rail that would take the project past a brewery he co-owns.
But Burleigh MP Michael Hart strongly denies his preferred route has anything to do with benefitting the business.
Mr Hart has clashed with the State Government and the council over their favoured coastal route and demanded the project be rerouted westwards to Varsity Lakes.
Mr Hart’s more costly proposal would take the light rail along Burleigh Connection Rd and pass near Burleigh Brewing Company on Ern Harley Dve.
Mr Hart’s selfmanaged superannuation fund has a significant stake in Daisy Holding Company, the owner of the craft brewer.
Mr Hart yesterday confirmed he had a significant stake in the brewery which is listed on his Register of Members’ Interests in State Parliament.
However, Mr Hart rejected any suggestion that his alternative light rail route had anything to do with the brewery, saying the potential for the establishment to benefit had never occurred to him.
“The brewery is out of the way in an industrial park,” he said.
“It doesn’t really go anywhere near it.”
The G:Link runs from Helensvale to Broadbeach with the next stage to Burleigh Heads the subject of a detailed business case and expected to progress soon.
Mr Hart has argued in speeches to State Parliament and publicly that the coastal route would cause massive resumptions and cost vital car parking while branding the council’s consultation process a sham.
The third-term MP wants the route to turn directly west after reaching Burleigh, link with Varsity Lakes train station and continue as a light rail line along a preserved heavy rail corridor to the airport.