TATE VOWS NO INCREASE TO TRAM-SIDE PROPERTY HEIGHTS
MAYOR Tom Tate is promising residents concerned about the future light rail link from Broadbeach to Burleigh that their low-rise coastal neighbourhoods will remain intact.
Councillor Tate in a post on his official Facebook page has also revealed that Stage 3A will provide two lanes of vehicle traffic on each side for 6.7km, with the dual tram track down the centre of the Gold Coast Highway.
He reminded residents that public consultation in 2015 found 79 per cent preferred the route along the highway to Burleigh, and 70 per cent supported the continuation of the trams to Palm Beach and the airport. A similar response occurred last year, he added.
But the Facebook post, to highlight information sessions during the next month as the council and State Government complete a detailed business case, has sparked debate.
A resident reminded the Mayor that on the western side of the Gold Coast Highway from the southern end of Miami through to Burleigh Heads Primary School, the building heights limits were either two or three storeys.
“My concern is for those parents who have worked hard to secure a home near the beach who wish to raise a family in a low-rise beachside neighbourhood environment,” the resident wrote in a post.
“My concern is the light rail will change the height and density limitations in these areas and therefore impact residential amenity for children and families. If you can confirm this is not the case, I will feel much happier for the future upbringing of my family.”
Cr Tate later posted: “no city plan changes I’m aware of or proposed”.
The Bulletin yesterday asked if it was the case that the light rail extension would not lead to higher heights of buildings west of the highway from Miami through to the school.
A city spokesman replied in a statement: “The light rail is an infrastructure project. The City Plan controls such things as density, building heights and other city planning matters.
“Under the plan, there is no intention to change building heights along the light rail route south of Broadbeach.’’
But council insiders along with community groups suggest the planning landscape around light rail is much more complex and confusing.