Can we afford it?

While debate around Stage 4 of the Light Rail has been dominated by concerns of impacts through Palm Beach, it’s worth considering how it will impact the rest of the Gold Coast. After all, with cost estimates upwards of $4 billion to take it from Broadbeach to Coolangatta, that’s a lot of money to be dedicating to it

And therein lies the problem. It’s $4 billion for 20km along the GC Hwy where <5% of the population live within walking distance of it. It’s just not equitable. And it won’t do a thing for anyone living outside this narrow coastal strip.

We can talk about having a spur line to Nerang, a spur line to Robina, a spur line to Harbourtown, a spur line to Hope Island etc, but the reality is it’s just not going to happen. Not for another 30 years at least and only if governments cough up another $6 billion.

(meanwhile, the northern Gold Coast couldn’t get $11 million from the State Government in this year’s budget to improve their paltry bus services and the government and contractor still can’t sort out the contract for Stage 3)

This talk highlights the importance of a proper public transport network for the whole of the Gold Coast. As this diagram from the Gold Coast City Transport Strategy 2031: Technical Report shows, we are a multi-centred city with people travelling in all directions.

I’m a big believer in public transport. However, if we are to combat congestion, to cater for population growth while maintaining our quality of life, we need something a lot cheaper and a lot quicker to deliver than light rail.

What do you think? Are you OK with our limited transport dollars being thrown at servicing a small percentage of tourists and residents, along a route that already has two high-frequency bus services? Are you prepared to wait decades for decent public transport to be delivered in other parts of the GC?

Consultation has commenced for Light Rail Stage 4. I encourage everyone to ‘Have their Say’ by clicking on the link below -

https://www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/gold-coast...

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