LNP MPS division on trams
Southern route queries
Transport Minister Mark Bailey has exposed the LNP for being divided on light rail being rolled out to the Gold Coast Airport, sparking a fiery debate with rival MPS.
The Bulletin recently published a photograph of Bonney Ms Sam O’connor boarding light rail saying “trams are the best form public transport so it’s important to dress up”.
But his colleagues, Burleigh MP Michael Hart and Currumbin MP Laura Gerber, are hosting a Light Rail Community Meeting at Palm Beach on May 18 supported by protesting residents.
Mr Bailey says the Opposition is “at sixes and sevens” on Light Rail Stage Four, the extension to get it to Gold Coast Airport: “With the LNP they will always find a reason not to build infrastructure on the Gold Coast..
“That’s what happened with the Newman Government, not a single new dollar went on the M1, nothing went on light rail. They blocked the second M1.
“They don’t believe in infrastructure for the Gold Coast. I look forward to the LNP MPS down there clarifying positions.”
Mr Hart says he always supported light rail to the airport but “my preferred route is the M1” adding he and Ms Gerber had asked the Minister to the forum but were yet to get a response.
Light rail stage one was built under an LNP Government and the second stage planned and changes to council planning were made to encourage an early start on the second M1, he said.
Mr Hart questioned how Mr Bailey could defend major projects like Cross River Rail and the Coomera Connector being delivered on time and on budget.
“If he attends (our forum) we can let the people decide who is telling the truth.”
Ms Gerber said her commitment was improved public transport for southern Gold Coaster and “light rail is in the mix”.
“But heavy rail also needs to be considered. I’m increasingly finding it difficult to support projects Mark Bailey is involved with because he treats our community with disdain.
“He continually seeks to use my name to prop up his failures to plan, deliver and evaluate. I support improving transport networks but we must look at all available options including heavy rail, light rail and buses.
“Mark Bailey has given up on listening to my community. I want to see proper consultation regarding when, where and how new transport links will be delivered.”
Gold Coast-based Federal Senator for Labor Murray Watt is backing all major projects like the second M1 and light rail expansion south to the border.
“We’d obviously be happy to talk further with City Hall and Mayor Tom Tate about further investment from a federal level in light rail,” Senator Watt said.
“Federal Labor has a very strong record when it comes to funding Gold Coast light rail. Anthony Albanese was the Infrastructure Minister when Stage One of the light rail was funded against the opposition of the then LNP federal members.
“We have supported every stage from the beginning to where we are at now. We are backing in the latest investment and we would be more than happy to discuss further investments with the council.”