McPherson MP Karen Andrews has asked no federal funding be directed to an upcoming stage of light rail in a "backflip" that has earned a rebuke from the Gold Coast's mayor.
Ms Andrews said in an open letter to Palm Beach residents she had "deep concerns" about the project, which would result in light rail being extended south from Burleigh Heads along the Gold Coast Highway.
"I've not met one local resident who thinks that reducing the Gold Coast Highway to one lane each way to accommodate light rail is a good idea," she said.
She said the government could not risk "damaging businesses, creating longer-term traffic issues and impacting the amenity of those living on side streets with a route through Burleigh Hill, Palm Beach and Currumbin that didn't work for the community".
Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate described Ms Andrews' opposition to stage 4 as an "arrogant" backflip.
He said he had "never been this disappointed in the political arena".
Call to 'preserve' southern Gold Coast
The Burleigh to Coolangatta link was projected to cost about $2.7 billion, which would be split between federal, state, and local governments.
It has prompted some community opposition with fears it could impact amenity, local business, and culturally significant sites.
Ms Andrews said she had written to Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher to ask "no federal funding be directed to this project as it stands".
She denied she had backflipped on the issue but said the current route was "not tenable".
"[Stage 4] has to be absolutely fit-for-purpose, the community has to be properly consulted," she told ABC Gold Coast.
She said she had not spoken to anyone who supported the Gold Coast Highway becoming one lane through Palm Beach.
"It's just not workable," she said.
The state government conducted public consultation on stage 4 throughout 2021 and stated in April that an independent survey of more than 1,000 locals found 64 per cent supported the project.
"I will not sit by while their views are steamrolled."
She said she would focus on progressing the heavy rail extension from Varsity.
Mayor labels remarks 'disparaging'
Mr Tate said the move was nothing short of "arrogant" and political given early polling opened on Monday.
He said he could not put into words how disappointed he was by Ms Andrews' stance.
"This project has been planned for 20 years, we've been building it for 10, if she was adamant about it, why didn't she jump up and down at stage 1?" Mr Tate said.
"It's ludicrous to have stage 1, 2 and 3 fully funded by all three tiers of government and go, well, now it's in my backyard I don't want stage 4."
Mr Tate said the alternative route would cost an additional $1.3 billion and run alongside the M1, adding an extra 30 minutes in travel time.
"How arrogant is that [timing] to go two weeks out, polling has opened."
'It makes no sense'
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said light rail had been an "incredible success story" so far, with more than 60 million trips recorded.
"Population growth will mean the Gold Coast will be in gridlock unless we have a better public transport system," he said.
Mr Bailey said both light and heavy rail connections to the airport would be needed for the Gold Coast.
"It was actually the Morrison government that co-funded the business case around stage 4 taking light rail to the airport and now they're going against their own funding," he said.
"It makes no sense."
A spokesperson for Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher said the federal government is not committing funding for stage 4.
Plans should go ahead
Despite the opposition, Mr Tate said he anticipated the project would go ahead as planned.
"My prediction is light rail will go to the airport and Coolangatta, both sides of state government are on board, at the federal level fair play will come into it," he said.
The City of Gold Coast has committed to providing 11 per cent of funding for Stage 4, with the remainder split between the state and federal governments.
The latest development comes in a series of public disagreements between the City of Gold Coast and local government MPs.
Mr Tate on Monday urged residents not to vote for either of the major parties in the senate, while deputy mayor Donna Gates described the federal budget as "very disappointing" in March.
