LIGHT rail to Bondi “will happen one day” says Waverley councillor Leon Goltsman amid moves by the mayor to get the project on the government’s radar.

Fresh calls for a line to Bondi come after the closure of George St for light rail construction on Tuesday, which caused commuter confusion in the east.

Mr Goltsman said although Bondi was “low down on the pecking order” for a light rail line, he declared it was something the city needed.

“We need light rail,” he said. “Our roads are already at maximum capacity because of our growth and we can’t get any more buses in. It’s not even summer and already it takes an hour to get in and out of Bondi.”

media_camera Waverley Mayor Sally Betts is applying pressure inside the government to have money allocated for the project.

Mayor Sally Betts confirmed the council was working behind the scenes to secure NSW Government funding towards the project.

“We are putting together some pre-emptive reports, trying to get a meeting with the minister because we need to ensure that we secure funds in forward estimates,” Cr Betts said.

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The council has had a policy advocating for light rail since 2013 but all action on the project had stagnated while the $500 million Sydney CBD and South East light rail project proceeded.

“We have a route but what we still don’t have is any money committed to the project,” Cr Betts said.

The light rail route favoured by the municipality would proceed via either Moore Park Rd onto Oxford St, or originate from Oxford St in the city.

It would pass through Bondi Junction’s mall and along Bondi Rd until it reached Bondi Beach, with a junction to remain at North Bondi.

media_camera There is already a favoured route in place for the light rail to Bondi.

Cr Betts said transport connections in the east would approach a “tipping point” in the next three to five years and the benefits of light rail — including an irresistible seven minute travel time from beach to junction — were clear.

Already the route experiences times of extreme congestion. On the first day of last year’s Sculpture by the Sea event, the NSW Transport Management Centre used Google Maps to advise commuters to walk the near 3km route to the beach, rather than use the bus.

A 2013 study commissioned by the council found “major congestion issues” with Bondi Rd, noted the “lack of priority afforded to buses even during peak periods results in reduced bus service reliability, increased travel time and delays and renders public transport an unattractive travel option”.

It noted one light rail vehicle could transport 300 passengers, the equivalent of six buses.

Light rail is also supported by Coogee State Liberal MP Bruce Notley-Smith who said it had the power to “transform” suburbs and neighbourhoods.

media_camera Sydney’s population is growing and traffic to the east is already at capacity, according to the council.

media_camera Waverley Mayor Sally Betts, pictured with Cr Leon Goltsman, said the council was working hard to secure NSW Government funding.

However, there are many opponents to the proposal, particularly in the local business community.

Max’s Shoes proprietor Max Siano said light rail spelt only “doom and gloom” for retailers in the Oxford St Mall, as well as 148 shops along Bondi Rd.

“The only reason they want the tram is to cater for thousands of people in summer, for four months of the year on weekends, but a tram is a seven day a week, 12 months a year guaranteed destruction of Bondi Rd,” he said.

“It will be an exodus of businesses that plays right into the hands of Westfield.”

Mr Siano said there were unexplored transport options that could ease the congestion burden, particularly over summer.

He suggested visitors be encouraged to use the ferry service from the city to Rose Bay and a regular bus route be introduced ton shuttle beachgoers from the wharf to the beach and back.

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said the department’s priority remained the CBD and South East Light Rail network, due for completion in 2019.

“Improving bus services and speeding up travel times between North Bondi, Bondi Beach and the Sydney CBD, via Oxford Street, have been identified as major priorities in Sydney’s Bus Future Plan,” she said.

“In the longer term, Transport for NSW will consider the potential for light rail or a bus rapid transit system for the Bondi Beach corridor.”