PLANNING BOSS: TRAM IS A MUST

THE boss of the country’s peak planning body is urging the Gold Coast light rail to extend south all the way to the airport as soon as possible.

Visiting Planning Institute Australia national president Steve O’Connor says the stalled extension to go from Broadbeach to Burleigh and eventually to Gold Coast Airport is a “catalyst for growth”.

“Right now you can only go so far before catching a bus. It is a success story and we are keen to talk to locals about it,” he said.

THE boss of Australia’s peak planning and development group supports the extension of the Gold Coast light rail.

Planning Institute Australia national president Steve O’Connor says he wants the tram to continue beyond Burleigh Heads to Gold Coast Airport.

He said the tram project had led the charge ahead of cities including Canberra and Newcastle, which have recently gained their own rapid transit projects.

“I flew out of the Gold Coast Airport last week and it would be great to have that rail connection go there,” he said. “Right now you can only go so far before catching a bus.

“The Gold Coast has traditionally been one of the growth hot spots and this is predicted for decades to come.

“We will be looking at the tram as a catalyst for growth – you would expect intensive development around it so we want to understand what thought has gone into the changes in zoning.

“It is a success story and we are keen to talk to locals about it.”

The extension of the tram network south of Broadbeach is the subject of a funding dispute between tiers of government.

Both the Government and Opposition have committed $112 million to the project but the State Government says the project cost has blown out, leaving a shortfall of more than $157 million on current commitments.

It comes as the PIA prepares to this month hold its annual National Planning Congress on the Gold Coast for the first time since 2006.

More than 600 delegates will attend the event at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, from May 15-17.

The National Awards for Planning Excellence will also be held as part of the event.

The light rail and its impact on surrounding developments is just one of the topics the event will examine.

Study tours will look at the tram system and infrastructure created for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. A half-day walking tour will be held through the city looking at how the Gold Coast City Council has responded to rapid population growth while maintaining its lifestyle.

“A lot has happened on the Coast in recent years with the Commonwealth Games and how it was managed will be of interest to planners around the nation,” Mr O’Connor said.

“There are a lot of lessons to be learnt from a place which has experienced sustained growth for such a long time.”