Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that the Sunshine Coast Council wish to introduce a mass transit option of Light Rail. A proposed 13 kms route goes right along the beachfront at Alexandra Headland. 400 metres surrounding each of the 16 stations will be rezoned for medium to high density housing (including proposals of 20-storey high-rise buildings potentially built next to family homes) to accommodate light rail infrastructure.

Your petitioners do not support and strongly object to the Council putting forward the light rail or any fixed line option along the beachfront to the government. Our mass transit solution needs to ease congestion in all regions on the coast, not just a 13 km route.

Our stretch of beachfront is unique to the Queensland coastline. The light rail will ruin the environmental landscape by introducing a barrier between the community and the beach, as well as limiting access and mobility, causing a number of safety issues and eroding our coastal culture.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House work with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council to remove the light rail option and support a regional electric/hydro bus network connecting all towns and communities from the coast to hinterland, north to south, benefiting all residents. This option is faster to implement, has the capacity to move into autonomous options such as uber/on call style busses, and fits with our desire to be smarter, creative, healthier. Light rail does not meet that standard, a regional electric/hydro bus network does.