PREMIER Campbell Newman has today announced his government would be committed to connecting the Gold Coast’s light rail system to heavy rail at Helensvale if re-elected this weekend.
Speaking at a campaign media conference in Brisbane, Premier Newman said the LNP would fund a “landmark transport revolution for southeast Queensland” if re-elected.
“Over the past three years, we’ve worked hard to improve the frequency, affordability and reliability of public transport,” he said.
“We’ve delivered more than 3000 new weekly bus and train services and there are now more trains on time than ever before. We’ve also made it cheaper for families to use public transport by making a state-wide fare cut for the first time in Queensland’s history.
“While we’re making progress, we know there is more to do and if re-elected, an LNP Government would fund a public transport revolution for south-east Queensland that will create thousands of new jobs.”
As part of the landmark plan, the Premier said the LNP would be committed to building Stage Two of the Gold Coast light rail.
“We’ll continue to work to get the costs down, and continue to make sure we deliver a project that stacks up,” he said.
“While Labor left a $300 million black hole after bungling the planning of Stage One, we will do the proper planning to ensure Stage Two delivers better services for passengers on the Gold Coast at the best price for taxpayers.
“We’re 100 per cent committed to this important project as part of funding Queensland’s future,”
But despite the promise, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported the project would not be finished in time for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Member for Southport Rob Molhoek has worked on getting the project up and running for the past decade and has welcomed the Premier’s announcement.
“It’s something that I have been working with council and the state government on now for more than 10 years and I am just so excited that we’re going to get that vital link from Parkwood to Helensvale,” he said.
“Planning is already underway but there is a lot of work to be done in the next couple of months and all of this is contingent on us being re-elected.”
Also promised by the LNP was 20 new and upgraded Park n Ride stations across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.
Mr Newman said the LNP’s plan was fully funded and fully costed.
“Only the LNP has a strong and stable team with a strong economic plan to deliver the jobs of tomorrow, real cost of living relief for families, better roads and public transport, and the schools and hospitals our growing state needs,” he said.
“It’s a plan we can truly afford because we’ve made the strong choices to pay down debt and invest in job creating infrastructure.
“The alternative is a weak Labor Government that has no economic plan and no way of funding its promises.
“The only way to ensure jobs, certainty and growth is to just vote one for the LNP.”
Key elements of the LNP’s strong plan for public transport in south-east Queensland include:
Providing $1 billion to deliver the BaT tunnel, an underground bus and train tunnel that will deliver 48 extra trains and 160 buses, and create thousands of jobs;
Duplicating the Sunshine Coast rail line between Beerburrum and Landsborough, saving passengers about an hour on a return trip and making travel safer;
Supporting the Gold Coast Light Rail stage 2 project;
Upgrading and building new Park ‘n’ Rides to provide more than 5000 extra car spaces at south-east Queensland train stations and bus hubs over the next six years; and
Committing $295 million to make dangerous level crossings across Brisbane safer for local drivers and rail passengers.
Mr Newman said passengers had been calling for more car parks around train stations and bus hubs, and the LNP had already scrapped Labor’s shortsighted policy banning park n’ rides within 10 kilometres of the city.