Gold Coast leaders are bracing for a major letdown in tonight’s Federal Budget.
Despite a push for a federal-led revival of Light Rail Stage Four, Treasurer Jim Chalmers is expected to snub the city’s light rail airport extension.
Instead, the Federal Government is expected to focus on a controversial overhaul of negative gearing and capital gains tax, as well as savings.
It means no new infrastructure funding is expected for the region, with both Light Rail and the Coomera Connector still lacking finalised business cases.
Mayor Tom Tate remains undeterred, urging the Commonwealth to at least signal its support for the project.
While the State Government officially scrapped Stage Four last year, Tate argues that federal backing is essential for Southeast Queensland to handle the pressure of the 2032 Olympics.
