Light rail good thought BUT...$1 billion dollars

Incumbent Mayor Bob Manning announced in the Weekend Post http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/light-rail-rates-high-in-cairns-council-race/news-story/1422f0bc0e1c8c01cf803a42e904763b 

Good idea but realistically not viable at this time

 that a light rail system is part of his plan for a growing population at a cost of $billion dollars and Bob Manning said he thinks that he can convince the Federal and State Governments will fund this project....REALLY.
Both governments don't have any spare cash and are not likely to for many years to come and maybe never if Australia keeps getting sold off to foreign countries.
Although the idea has some merits it is just not feasible for Cairns to spend this amount of money for a population of around 160,000 and no industrial business left in Cairns equals no employment incentives.

Suggested routes by Bob Manning

Back in 2012 I suggested  that the council should approach the Queensland Government and have discussions on leasing or hiring 2 "railcars" from them and run them between Redlynch and Gordonvale on the existed rail route for a period of 12 months and if utilised by the residents then consider a longer period.

It would require temporary station platforms to be built at White Rock and Forrest Gardens with an area for parking and would decrease the traffic flow into the city.

These railcars could run on the hour making sure that workers get to the city on time.

Also running times would have to be adjusted  to coincide with the present normal train service but that shouldn't be a problem.

By having a trial system with an existing network would cost nothing like the $1 billion as suggested and if it's not feasible after the trial period then the project can be closed down...simple.

Trial is better than error and having to repay a huge debt is just not the way to go.

Oh Bob "food for thought" with a growing population what about serious consideration on pushing for a new dam, now that makes sense especially with all these high rise buildings and the number of tenants living in them Cairns no doubt will run out of water (I hope not).

Cairns the future of the Gold Coast.