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    Light Rail Has Heavy Consequences

    Kylie McGufficke

    I’d like to start by saying I absolutely LOVE where I live! As a local resident of Burleigh Heads, I feel profoundly protective of this spectacular little corner of the world.

    Whether you’re a local resident OR holiday-maker in Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach and the other southern coastal suburbs, there are VERY specific reasons we choose to immerse ourselves in this iconic landscape of ours. It simply oozes its own very special personality, character and history.

    Relaxed family-friendly village vibes are as natural here as the sunshine and ocean breezes, as we treat ourselves daily with a treasure trove of local cafes and restaurants, and the pristine world-class beaches on our doorstep.

    We KNOW how good we’ve got it! That’s why so many of us want to vehemently protect our spectacular little haven. 

    The uniqueness of the southern Gold Coast is its biggest source of pride! Its iconic landmarks are its biggest drawcard! And it seems every local I speak to wants to see the over-development, razzle-dazzle and hustle-and-bustle stay north of Burleigh Heads!

    And along comes the light-rail extension, carving up the path from Broadbeach to Coolangatta. Right through the Burleigh Ridge … disturbing natural Koala habitat, the ancient aboriginal fish traps in Tallebudgera Creek, Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre … resuming land owned by locals, reducing car parking along Gold Coast Highway and potentially steering traffic in our quiet side streets. Creating bottle-necks of traffic on a highway that just isn’t wide enough. Pretty much leaving a messy trail of consequences for all of us to live with!

    My sources tell me that the cost has blown out by a whopping 42%!  Where’s the money coming from? WHO will end up paying for this?

    Do I sound emotive? Yes, I do.  Am I fearful we’ll become another Surfers Paradise? Damn right, I am. This is very serious business, with the proposed light-rail extension project seemingly shrouded in secrecy. Along with carefully worded “government spin” and a severe lack of definitive detail from the government, it seems the majority of our community doesn’t want the light-rail through Burleigh Heads and Palm Beach but nobody really knows what to do about it.

    What Can YOU Do?

    NOTE: Public consultation begins on 12 July 2021 – 17 September 2021.

    Can We Affect the Outcome?

    Yes, I think we can. We, as a community, need to come together with the biggest voice we can muster. My advice is to keep abreast of where the project is at, during the coming weeks and months. We’re very lucky to have some wonderfully passionate people in our community who can help to fight the good fight on our behalf.

    This Facebook group is very helpful with relevant information. You can click on this link below and like the page to stay informed and gauge how our community’s feeling.

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/1885431975112548/?ref=share

    WHY am I AGAINST the Light-Rail Extension?

    1. The lower Gold Coast Highway will lose 1.5m (according to GCCC) and turn into a one-way road heading north from Burleigh State School.
    2. Substantial car parking along the eastern side of Gold Coast Highway will be LOST, to make room for the light-rail.
    3. I believe they do not yet have all the money to fund this project so there’s potential for substantial costs to be covered by us, the tax-payers.
    4. We already have a great bus service, that’s not fully utilised. Approx $1.041 billion will be spent on this light-rail service that may not be used as they say it will. And that doesn’t include the possible 42% cost blow out! (Is the light-rail the government’s way of justifying MORE high rise developments?)
    5. The koala habitat at Burleigh Heads will be sadly impacted.
    6. Continuing the light-rail to Palm Beach will mean the bridge over Tallebudgera Creek will be widened, impacting on the historic aboriginal fishing traps which have been there for thousands of years.
    7. A number of properties will have their front yards resumed to make way for the light rail.
    8. The Mayor Tom Tate and GCCC are approving high rises outside of the city plan and using the light rail as a reason they can approve these developments.
    9. The city plan is being ignored, set backs are a thing of the past and high rises are on the up and up.
    10. I’ve spoken to business owners in Surfers Paradise who suffered terribly during the original light-rail project. Businesses went bust. Livelihoods were lost. Let’s protect our own local cafes and restaurants! They need us, and we need them!
    11. Other reports have indicated that the light rail can be detrimental to an area but these are being disregarded.
    12. Along with many, I am concerned crime will increase.
    13. Has anyone actually done the math on how long it will take to travel from Burleigh to Griffith Uni for instance? How many stops, you may as well get the heavy train and go to Brisbane. And where is the parking? We are removing the parking to make way for the light rail.
    14. I’m extremely concerned that suburban back streets will become the new highway, with traffic making its way through suburbs to cut around the light rail.

    To Sum Things Up …

    If you’re in any way concerned about this very permanent major change to the southern Gold Coast, NOW is the time to be more informed AND have an impact on the outcome.

    I’m always happy to chat!

    Cheers, Kylie

    0402207722

    Kylie@realestatebykylie.com.au