The Gold Coast Bulletin

LIGHT RAIL’S HEAVY FIGHT

- ANDREW POTTS andrew.potts@news.com.au

FEDERAL Labor is refusing to explain why it is pouring billions into a state rail project in Victoria while snubbing extra funding needed for the Gold Coast’s light rail extension.

Gold Coast leaders are not impressed by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s comments that the Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop project was a “game changer’’ after announcing it would contribute $10 billion to the project.

FEDERAL Labor is refusing to explain why it is pouring billions into a state rail project in Victoria while snubbing extra funding needed for the Gold Coast’s light rail extension.

The Opposition on Sunday announced it would contribute $10 billion to the Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop project.

Leader Bill Shorten said Victorian Labor Premier Daniel Andrews needed a “partner in Canberra” and that the project would be a “game changer for Australia’s fastest-growing city”.

Mr Shorten’s comments have not impressed Gold Coast leaders who, for weeks, have been trying to get the Opposition leader to explain his position on light rail Stage 3A.

They also say the Glitter Strip’s rate of growth – at 2.63 per cent a year – is just behind the southern capital’s 2.74 per cent.

Labor has matched the Coalition’s pledge of $112 million towards light rail Stage 3A.

However, both sides have refused to stump up extra cash for the project, which will reduce congestion and eventually connect with major infrastruc­ture including the Gold Coast Airport.

The Bulletin yesterday asked the Opposition leader why the Broadbeach to Burleigh project was missing out, despite requiring a fraction of the cost of the Melbourne rail system.

These questions were ignored. Instead, a Labor spokeswoma­n talked up the party’s support for previous stages.

“Labor has committed $112 million for Stage 3A,” she said. “Labor has $1 billion more of extra funding to Queensland and SEQ infrastruc­ture over the coming four years.

“We are investing $2.24 billion in Cross River Rail and over $1.5 billion on the M1.”

State Transport Minister Mark Bailey this month said the Federal Government was $157.5 million short of matching its Stage 1 commitment of 38 per cent of the total cost. For Stage 2, it pledged 22 per cent. So far, the feds have committed 16 per cent of the $709 million needed to build Stage 3A.

The state provided almost 49 per cent of funding for Stage 1. That ballooned to 64.3 per cent for Stage 2.

Asked yesterday if he had been in contact with his federal counterpar­ts to end the funding impasse, Mr Bailey referred the Bulletin to a comment he made on April 2 in Parliament, reciting the funding shortfall.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate yesterday called for a truce on the tram funding and proposed a compromise in a bid to end the delays.

Cr Tate said an extra $45 million from the feds would get the project over the line.

“The state wants the federal government to put in 38 per cent but, as a test of fairness, I say let’s meet in the middle,” he said. “If they put in $45 million it is a fair deal.”

Cr Tate, who last month wrote to both Mr Shorten and Prime Minister Scott Morrison requesting a funding pledge, said he was yet to receive a response from either man.

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GOLDCOASTB­ULLETIN.COM.AU

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