RE: Future of light rail.

It appears now the Commonwealth Games are over the Federal Government is unwilling to put more money into light rail 3A from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads.

Light rail is popular, but locals south of Broadbeach are very concerned the cost means that highdensity highrise buildings will be approved along the whole route turning the Gold Coast Highway into a canyon.

To avoid the incredibly high cost and disruption of light rail, Gecko asks why all levels of government don’t take a serious look at a trackless tram for the remainder of the route. The trackless tram being trialled around the world does not require the poles, wires and tracks of a light rail.

The cost is about one quarter of that for traditional light rail, but it does the same job.

It carries up to 300 passengers, is non-polluting, the route can be built in days, not months, so helping businesses along the route and is flexible because it can go anywhere sensors are on the road.

The only hard infrastructure is the stations along the route.

Mayor Tom Tate says: “We have to look at this as a long-term investment because any extra funds we put in we will get back through the value uplift in the rates along the route.”

The Mayor seems to think ratepayers want to put more money into this project, but with trackless trams at far less cost there would be no need for increased highrise density along the route to recoup the ratepayers’ money from rates.

Why waste money on light rail when there is a cheaper and just as effective alternative. LOIS LEVY, CURRUMBIN, CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR, GECKO ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL WITH reference to the public land at Carey Park being the only name published of the secret list of 11 potential sites for the global tourism hub, while recognising there is a level of support for the potential economic growth and job creation benefits of a GTH, there are significant community concerns about the potential negative financial impact and potential job losses in existing clubs and venues.

The growth in population and increased density of housing on the Gold Coast into the future is inevitable and indeed planned.

Given the irreversible trend towards higher density living it is almost inconceivable that consideration would be given to reducing the public land available to this burgeoning community in favour of commercial development.

The reality is that more public land should be made available through the council or recreational clubs for use by residents, not less. JOHN ROGERS, GOLD COAST TIME and time again we hear the words poker machine and public land as a argument against a new casino.

I’m quite sure thousands more will use the public land when a casino is built and a casino is much more than poker machines providing great restaurants and entertainment in a safe environment.

There are 2300 parks in the Gold Coast area for those who want to sit on the grass.

To date I have not heard a sane argument against building one so please let’s get started. ROD WATSON, SURFERS PARADISE

IT is interesting but not surprising to note the proposed Adani coal mine has more support in northern Queensland than elsewhere.

One can only presume, many of the north Queensland supporters would themselves be opposed if they weren’t desperate for the jobs and revenue associated with this project.

Their biased views, therefore should not be taken into account if

the survival of the planet is the real issue. Most likely their thinking would come into line with the rest of the population if they didn’t have this bias.

My personal unbiased belief, however, is to proceed with the project, because, if coal is going to be burnt, we might as well be the ones suppling it.

You don’t expect Saudi Arabia to stop supplying oil as long as there is a demand for petrol.

At present there are more than 200 new coal-fired power stations under construction in the world. There is going to be a demand for coal for many decades to come.

We should build a couple of power stations ourselves while we at it. It is not going to make any difference to the planet.

If we are really serious about stopping this pollution we should come up with a viable alternative.

We need to influence countries like India and others, with incentives if necessary, not to build coal fired power stations and provide them with a viable alternative. The only one I can think of is nuclear.

We have the unique opportunity in Australia of being in a position to control a complete nuclear package. We could supply the fuel, collect and store the waste. It would put this country back on its feet and create untold riches. TERRY STEPHENSON, ASHMORE

IF choosing who deserves your vote and you are sick to death with the absurd choices on offer, l have come to the conclusion Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party, and its Fadden candidate, Ms Mara Krischker, with get my protest vote.

In that way l will have done my duty and not felt the effort was wasted. DAVID HALL, COOMBABAH