Tweed light-rail funding welcomed north of the border

Tweed light-rail has been given a boost, with the state government prepared to invest in a concept plan for the project

A concept map of the Tweed light rail. Picture: Rick Koenig

A LIGHT-RAIL, connecting the Tweed to the Gold Coast, will have a business plan developed.

The 2019 NSW state budget was handed down this afternoon from treasurer Dominic Perrottet, with $1 million set aside to develop a concept plan over the next 12 months to have a light-rail network connect Tweed Heads South to Coolangatta.

Negotiations with the Queensland and NSW governments and the Gold Coast Airport will continue according to Tweed MP Geoff Provest, who said this was an important project for the region.

"Honestly the light-rail is going to be a real game changer for the Tweed," Mr Provest said.

"Hopefully we will be in a position to finish off our business case from this."

Mr Provest said it was vital the Tweed is able to connect its public transport to the Gold Coast, particularly the Gold Coast Airport.

"Once this gets to the airport, it makes us a regional transport hub," he said.

The announcement has been welcomed north of the border, with the CEO of Queensland Airports Limited hailing the news as a win for the region.

Chris Mills said linkages to the airport from both Queensland and NSW would have major benefits for a range of organisations including the airport itself, businesses based in the airport precinct and organisations like Southern Cross University.

"Light rail is a priority project for the Gold Coast and northern NSW, which we want to see delivered as soon as possible," he said.

Tweed bus services are also set to be rejuvenated, with an extra 330 services across the electorate promised from this budget.

Mr Provest said a study over the last 18 months highlighted hotspots which these new services will focus on.