Objection to extension of Light Rail from Broadbeach to Coolangatta
OBJECT NOW – LETTER TO COUNCILLOR HERMANN VORSTER
Councillor Hermann Vorster, whose Division 11 covers Robina, Varsity Lakes and part of Burleigh Waters, has been a prominent supporter of the light rail extensions from Broadbeach to Coolangatta. His own Division, and others in the northern growth corridor, require substantially improved, high-frequency public transport now, not in 10 years’ time after GCLR4 is completed.
The entire Gold Coast community is entitled to ask Cr Vorster for a “please explain” – what is your evidence-based rationale for continuing to support light rail extensions when the circumstances and gigantic costs around light rail have clearly changed and there are now better, more sustainable options available that could service all of the City, not just the coastal strip, sooner and for far less cost.
Our template letter, which you can edit if required to meet your specific needs, makes asking the “please explain” question quick and easy.
HOW TO OBJECT – QUICK AND EASY
Fill in the “Return Address” form on this page. (Note: All fields must be completed to receive a reply letter.)
Then click on the START WRITING button.
This will take you to the template objection you can lodge with Cr Vorster.
Read the sample objection letter to confirm you agree with its content.
You are now ready to lodge your objection. Click the SEND LETTER button.
Your objection will go direct to Division 11 Councillor Hermann Vorster.
While there is no specific end date for objection letters, we recommend you lodge your objection as soon as possible.
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THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD
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NEED MORE INFORMATION?
Below is a summary from Save Our Southern Gold Coast Assoc Inc (SOSGC) of the case against Light Rail Stages 3 and 4.
LIGHT RAIL NO LONGER THE BEST OPTION FOR THE SOUTHERN GOLD COAST
Save Our Southern Gold Coast Assoc Inc (SOSGC) is a community-based group working with well-credentialed professionals to advocate for a better future for our area.
To be clear - SOSGC is not anti-growth and not anti-development. We are pro sensible urban renewal and pro public transport. However, we are strongly opposed to the light rail as the mode for southern Gold Coast public transport. Here’s why.
EXTRAORDINARILY POOR VALUE FOR MONEY
· Time, cost, and alternative technologies have overtaken light rail as a financially viable public transport option for the southern Gold Coast.
· At a combined cost of $1.3 billion, Gold Coast Light Rail (GCLR) Stages 1 and 2 patronage averages only 22% of total passenger capacity, servicing the Gold Coast highest density population area.
· In Stages 1 and 2 for every $2 spent in fares we tax/ratepayers subsidise at least $8 just to meet the interest payments on the government borrowings, with no repayment of principal.
· At an estimated cost of over $3 billion, servicing a far lower density population catchment, GCLR Stage 4 offers extraordinarily poor value for money.
· Brisbane City Council evaluated and dismissed the light rail option for its upgraded public transport network. It is now investing in the Brisbane Metro, a purpose-built, high capacity, zero emission bus solution.
IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT ACROSS ALL AREAS, NOT JUST THE COASTAL STRIP
· We don’t have a bottomless bucket of money to fund critical infrastructure.
· The greatest need for modern, high frequency, public transport is in areas such as Robina and the growth corridor at the northern end of the Gold Coast.
· Yet governments are proposing to spend $4.2 billion on GCLR Stages 3 and 4 to replace buses with light rail down the GC Highway.
· This singular focus on the GC Hwy and light rail means the majority of residents will continue to miss out on frequent and reliable public transport services. It’s not fair, it’s not equitable and it’s not good for the future of the Gold Coast.
LIGHT RAIL FACILITATED OVERDEVELOPMENT
· Our view is that light rail is a Trojan horse for overdevelopment.
· The Queensland Government requires that the Gold Coast must accommodate a 50% increase in population within the next 20 years, with priority given to densification along transport corridors.
· City Plan changes are expected that will facilitate development of an unattractive concrete canyon of apartment towers extending south from Broadbeach to Coolangatta along the light rail corridor.
TRAFFIC, PARKING AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
· The proposed design narrows the Highway (the City’s number two arterial road), to two lanes in places, consumes most highway parking spaces and requires many land resumptions.
· Major bridges are required at the iconic Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks with associated impacts to amenity, cultural heritage (including 5000-year-old Aboriginal stone fish traps), and ecological values.
· Widening the road cutting at Burleigh Head National Park will create a large, unattractive scarp.
A BETTER SOLUTION
· Redirect GCLR4 funding into an improved, distributed transport network that establishes several well-located, efficient interchange hubs, rather than an expensive light rail spine with no hubs that services only a fraction of the city’s growing population.
· Use modern, comfortable, low-floor, Zero Emission Buses (ZEB) running at 10-15 minute intervals to service the network.
· For a total estimated cost of $1.5 billion and only minor disruption during construction, we would have a modern, whole of city transport network (including east-west connections). This is half the cost of GCLR4. Allocate the savings to other urgent priorities such as hospitals.
· This is what we need for the City now, for the 2032 Olympics and for the longer-term. Not GCLR4.
· We also need to prioritise Heavy Rail from Varsity to Gold Coast Airport, with efficient interchange hubs serviced by ZEBs at the new stations.
