CHAIRMAN ALL PRAISE FOR NEWSPAPER’S ROLE

GOLDLINQ chairman John Witheriff has paid tribute to the role of the Gold Coast Bulletin in securing the light rail’s second stage in time for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The Bulletin’s award-winning Game Changer campaign ran from mid-2014 until late 2015 and initially put pressure on the former Newman and Abbott governments to fund the Helensvale link.

Beginning after the successful launch of the light rail’s first stage in July 2014, Mr Witheriff said the campaign had played a pivotal role in securing the link which was ultimately delivered by the Turnbull and Palaszczuk governments along with the Gold Coast City Council.

“I am just proud for everyone who has been involved, firstly I am proud of the community and secondly the Gold Coast Bulletin which stimulated the whole campaign,” he said. “Thirdly, the courage shown by the three levels of government, (federal MPs) Stuart Robert, Steve Ciobo, Mayor Tom Tate and in particular (Deputy Premier) Jackie Trad. These are the people that made it all happen.

“You cannot think of a more diverse team — every strata of our society has come together to produce a lasting Coast legacy.”