OF ‘SHOW ME YOURS FIRST’
Mayor Tom Tate has called for a compromise of an extra $45 million. “While I’m disappointed light rail was not included, I’m confident the conversation between the state and federal governments will continue,” he said.
“When I hand down the budget (this week) you will see that we have committed the same funding for 3A as we did for stages one and two. I call on everyone to make light rail Stage 3A a priority.”
Despite the funding dispute, new Department of Transport and Main Roads figures in the State Budget reveal the popularity of the trams continues to increase.
Nearly 10.9 million trips were taken on the light rail in the 2018-19 financial year, exceeding the 10.2 million forecast in last year’s budget.
It is tipped to increase in the coming financial year – with about 11.16 million trips expected in 2019-20.
The popularity of the light rail has also helped lift the overall number of public transport trips across southeast Queensland, up 3.28 million beyond expectations.
Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall said he was disappointed.
“We need to get this project moving properly,” he said
A Federal Government spokesman said zero funding in the State Budget was not surprising and they urged Labor to “get serious about this project so we can get on and build it”.