A Gold Coast MP is urging the federal government to help fund a business case to extend heavy rail to the airport, arguing we need to plan for the future now.
McPherson MP Leon Rebello has launched his “Back the Track’ campaign and is calling on the community to back his push.
He says the current heavy rail line doesn’t make sense anymore.
“All Gold Coasters would resonate with the fact that every passenger train from Brisbane to the Gold Coast comes to an abrupt end at Vasty Lakes, which is crazy,” Rebello told Hot Tomato.
“Just 16 kilometres further south from there you’ve got the Gold Coast Airport, the Southern Cross Uni precinct, and some of the fastest growing communities in the city.”
It’s estimated congestion on the southern Gold Coast will end up costing $117 million a year if the problem isn’t addressed.
The state government last year scrapped plans for Light Rail Stage 4 to the airport after communities on the southern Gold Coast rejected trams, instead announcing metro-style buses.
But Mr Rebello says the situations are different.
“It’s not a question of one or the other. The state government has come out and provided their solutions for public transport infrastructure on the Gold Coast Highway side of the Gold Coast, and this is providing a transport solution to the M1 corridor area.
“It’s a very different connection. It’s connecting Brisbane to the Gold Coast. It’s connecting Logan to the Gold Coast and to the southern Gold Coast. And I hope that people get in and back the track.”
The campaign comes after Premier David Crisafulli confirmed on Friday that the corridor would remain preserved.
Rebello says that’s welcome news.
“Protecting the corridor does keep the project possible, but it’s a detailed business case that creates the pathway to delivery.”
The community can have its say at http://leonrebello.com.au
