Rookie MP wants light rail extension for north Chasing spur for growth
FROM the hospital to Harbour Town – a Gold Coast MP has mounted a push for the light rail to run from the health and knowledge precinct at Parkwood to the giant shopping centre at Biggera Waters.
Rookie MP Sam O’Connor made the call in his maiden speech to State Parliament late yesterday.
The Bonney MP thanked supporters and told the Legislative Assembly a new public transport link was needed for the city’s north.
“We’re lucky to have everything so close including schools and university and job opportunities. I want to make sure they’re all as easy to get to as possible, whether that’s by road or public transport,’’ Mr O’Connor said.
“Light rail has been transformative for the Gold Coast and we need it to maintain our lifestyle with the growth our city is experiencing. It must truly become the spine of our transport system.
“I want to see it extend along Olsen Ave from the hospital to Harbour Town. This essential connection could include stops at Southport Sharks and Central St and would be a spur line of barely 3km in length.”
Mr O’Connor said a tram extension would generate more business and greater opportunity north.
“The Harbour Town area would become a hub and it would allow easier access to the tram network for people from Biggera Waters and further north,” he said.
“The data clearly shows that light rail works. People use it in huge numbers and it increases patronage on bus services too.
“Quality public transport is important to making sure for the city’s communities like ours are viable and liveable.”
The Olsen Ave route is considered by some observers to be easily achieved and unlikely to require major resumptions. Mr O’Connor’s call comes just days after new data revealed how popular the Gold Cost light rail is.
Department of Transport figures show the rapid transit system has recorded an extra 510,000 passenger trips since the second stage from Griffith University and the hospital to Helensvale was opened in December.
Stephen Harrison, chairman of the Gold Coast light rail business advisory committee, said a Harbour Town spur line made sense, but warned it would not become a reality for many years.
“The track was bent around the corner from the hospital to go in that direction in the future when the need is there,” he said.