Parks, planning and trams

PARKING, overdevelopment and construction of light rail to Burleigh are key issues business leaders and community groups want addressed ahead of next week’s council poll.

Four candidates – the Animal Justice Party’s Scott Wallace, Councillor Daphne McDonald, journalist Bern Young and author Katrina Beikoff – will contest Division 13 at next weekend’s poll.

The area is facing an incoming light rail path, with Stage 3A’s 6.7km extension from Broadbeach to Burleigh set to be completed by 2023.

Central Chamber of Commerce Burleigh Heads vicepresident Kelly Zirilli said businesses wanted assurance that interruptions during construction would be minimised.

“(They want to know) the character of the James St village precinct will be maintained (and) a review of the development master plan for Burleigh Heads,” she said. “And improved parking. Parking is the (biggest) issue.”

THE SEAT

Division 13 encompasses: Burleigh Heads, Tallebudgera, Palm Beach and Elanora.

WHO LIVES THERE

Covers a total 2615 hectares. Population: 38,271; 14.63 persons per hectare. Men: 17,401, 48.4%. Women: 18,583, 51.6%. Australian citizens: 30,480, 84.7%.

Eligible voters: 23,965, 66.6%.

Palm Beach Neighbourhood Centre social worker Samantha Way said residents who her team spoke to wanted “transparency” and “trust” from council.

“They want to see transparency around which candidates have relationships with developers, because there’s concern about overdevelopment,” she said. “The other concern was that Palm Beach would lose its village feel if the light rail came through.

“They feel the bus lines do a great job of going up and down that route, but what’s actually needed is hard rail down to Coolangatta airport.”

Debate over heavy and light rail has long been a controversial issue in the area, with the State Government this year preparing the light rail corridor through Palm Beach by ensuring developments were set further back from the Gold Coast Highway.

Anti-tram protesters believe the light rail will bring highrises within 600mm of fence lines.

Light rail Stage 3B is expected to run along the coastal strip from Burleigh Heads to the airport, which will also eventually be served by heavy rail.

Burleigh RSL president Craig McKenzie said the impact on businesses of the coronavirus pandemic could be massive in the area.

“The biggest issue now is not so much business-wise but how it’s affecting us, our membership, and issues to do with Anzac Day,” he said.

The Gold Coast election will be held on March 28.