2 comments, both anti-tram.
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COUNCIL
Gold Coast light rail stage 3A: Mexican standoff over Burleigh tram extension continues
ANDREW POTTS, Gold Coast Bulletin
May 15, 2019 12:00am
WHILE the major parties continue to pave the country in gold three days out from the election, the Gold Coast remains in a Mexican standoff over light rail funding.
A day after Opposition Leader Bill Shorten refused to answer why he would not commit the extra money needed to get Stage 3A over the line, the Gold Coast Bulletin asked both the Coalition and State Government if they were closer to a deal.
FEARS OF TRAM DELAY
The Mexican standoff continues.
Both said they were waiting on each other’s funding model before firing shots at each other’s contribution to the Coast.
“We are still waiting for the Queensland State Labor Government to contribute its non-existent share for Stage 3A of the Gold Coast rail,” a campaign spokesman for Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
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“If the State Labor Government stumped up its share, then Gold Coast light rail would be developing at a much faster rate.
PLANNING BOSS BACKS LIGHT RAIL EXTENSION
The Burleigh station
“In the meantime the Morrison Government remains committed to infrastructure in southeast Queensland, including Gold Coast light rail. We have already committed $112 million for Stage 3A following an investment of $95 million in Stage 2.”
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State Transport Minister Mark Bailey defended the lack of progress on resolving the impasse and insisted the Federal Government should stump up $157 million to match its Stage 1 commitment.
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Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A’s route.
‘MASSIVE SUPPORT’ FOR LIGHT RAIL PROJECT TO BURLEIGH
“Our desire for a better offer from Canberra has been clearly communicated to them, through media reports, through discussions between the state and federal departments managing this project and through my discussions with elected representatives,” he said when asked about his action in the past three weeks.
“Mayor Tom Tate has suggested an additional $45 million will get the deal done but we think the funding model for Stage 1 should be the Federal Government’s benchmark.”
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.