MAYOR Tom Tate says extending the light rail line to the Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta is happening.

Light rail Stage 3B is expected to run along the coastal strip from Burleigh Heads to the airport, which will also eventually be serviced by an extension of the heavy rail.

Opponents, including Palm Beach councillor Daphne McDonald, say extending the tram along Gold Coast Highway would damage the area's amenity, create a parking shortage and increase tower development.

They have instead advocated the tram going west from Burleigh to Varsity Lakes.

But Mayor Tate said both would become a reality.

"You have to do both north-south and east-west," he said.

"Now (opponents) are saying they don't want it but the thing is, we did a community consultation process back before we did council's transport plan and now that it is all laid out.

"It's like, mate, where have you been? We are sod-turning (Stage 3A) early next year.

"The next stage will go all the way to the airport and Coolangatta … after that we want to go east-west."

Stage 3A will run from Broadbeach to Burleigh and is expected to be operational in 2023.

Cr Tate cited future links to Varsity Lakes, Robina and Nerang via Metricon Stadium.

"People can jump on and go and see the Suns and Titans play without having to walk a bloody kilometre," he said.

A State Government survey found 91 per cent of residents backed light rail running to the airport.