By Charmaine Kane. Thanks to ABC.
The Queensland Government has promised to extend the Gold Coast light rail line to Helensvale if it is re-elected on Saturday.
The Assistant Planning Minister and Member for Southport, Rob Molhoek, said it was an ironclad commitment but the work may not be completed before the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
He said it was imperative the light and heavy rail services were linked.
"We're actually putting our cards on the table and we are absolutely committing to deliver this extension of the light rail and the connection to Brisbane and the beach if re-elected," he said.
"There's no ifs, buts and maybes about this, this is a commitment from the LNP to deliver that stage and we understand how important it is to the people of the Gold Coast."
Mr Molhoek said the fact that work may not be completed by 2018 would not jeopardise the success of the Games.
"They'll be taken on express coaches predominantly under escort or in priority transport lanes anyway to the various venues," he said.
"There are very few venues actually within the light rail corridor itself.
"Certainly it would be great to have and I'll be in there fighting for that but I don't think it's going to make a lot of difference to our ability to deliver a great outcome and a successful Games."
Tourism and Transport Forum says coordinated light-heavy rail system crucial
A national lobby group, the Tourism and Transport Forum, has urged Labor to match the commitment.
CEO Margy Osmond said a coordinated light and heavy rail system was crucial to the Gold Coast's future.
"It's connection with Brisbane and some of the cultural opportunities in Brisbane just adds to the potential of it," she said.
"We will see more and more business events and major international conferences come to the Gold Coast off the back of the Commonwealth Games.
"We need people to see Australia is a great place to visit and the Gold Coast is a terrific example of it and part of that is a great public transport system."
Ms Osmond agreed with Mr Molhoek's Games comments.
"We certainly think it would be useful in terms of the Commonwealth Games but really this is about giving the impression of an accessible and legible public transport system to visitors and to locals," she said.
"Remember there is a serious daytrip marketplace that could be galvanised by having this extension in place as quickly as possible."
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