Mick Fanning voices opposition to Gold Coast light rail as MP Michael Hart 'changes view'

It has been described as a vital part of the 2032 Olympic Games, but the Gold Coast light rail has split LNP ranks, triggered protests and attracted opposition from one of Australia's surfing greats. Key points: Stage four of light rail would connect Burleigh Heads south along the coastal strip to the airport in Coolangatta Mick Fanning has joined residents voicing opposition to the project A planner says transport will be "slim" without light rail In a post to his more than 1.2 million Instagram followers this week, surfing champion Mick Fanning said "let's try stop Stage 4 of the light rail". While light rail has received bi-partisan support from all levels of government, the LNP's state member for Burleigh, Michael Hart, said "it's an excuse for them to over-develop the coastal strip down the Gold Coast". But Griffith University Cities Institute deputy director Matthew Burke said the Gold Coast would need light rail to move the volumes of people who would be using the airport during the 2032 Olympic Games.