Gold Coast History: Flashback to 2003 feasibility study into Gold Coast Light Rail system

THE future of the Gold Coast Light rail is moving closer to reality. But what did a feasibility study into the tram system say about the best way forward?

THE $660 million extension of the Gold Coast light rail south to Burleigh Heads is finally going ahead.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will today announce that a deal to fund the $709 million project has been concluded.

How Burleigh will look with trams

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Much talk has focused on what impact the tramline will have on the surrounding area as it moves south along the Gold Coast Highway.

It comes 16 years after the feasibility study for the tram system’s first stage was ticked off.

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An early study on what Surfers Paradise would look like with trams.

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In 2003, the tram system, then just an idea, passed the first hurdle.

Consultants found light rail was a better solution to the city’s worsening traffic problems than other transport options, according to the study.

Then-transport minister Steve Bredhauer told the Bulletin in 2003 the concept of a light rail system had passed two key milestones in the assessment process and that it would play a role in the city’s future transport requirements.

The earliest artist impression of a light rail on the Gold Coast.

He said that the study, which was jointly funded by the state and federal governments, would move to the next stage — evaluating a short-list of route options and a detailed financial and economic assessment.

As part of this stage, environmental factors and project delivery options were investigated, as would the development of an implementation plan.

The consultants compared the light rail to bus, monorail, and then-new technologies such as personal rapid transit and guided buses.

Buses were once considered but consultants pushed for trams.

Their report suggested a light rail route between Parkwood and Broadbeach would cost $300 million to $400 million and carry 50,000 passengers a day by 2011.

“The coastal fringe nature of Gold Coast development means that light rail could have a role to play in maximising lifestyle quality, minimising environmental impacts and servicing the growing economic needs of the region,” said Mr Bredhauer told the Bulletin.

“Rapid population growth is projected to continue in southeast Queensland and on the Gold Coast in particular, resulting in a need to strategically review public transport needs in the area.”

How the trams would look in Surfers Paradise.

This projection of its cost and its completion were not even close to accurate — Trams would not start carry passengers until July 2014 and the first stage would ultimately cost around $1.2 billion.

But it was good news at the time for then-mayor Gary Baildon who had been a long-time supporter of the system.

A late 2000s artist impression of what the light rail would look like in central Southport.

He said at the time the news vindicated the council’s stand that a light rail system was what the city needed.

“I’m very pleased the first stage has been completed and the information I’ve been given is certainly optimistic, in that it’s a very viable form of transport,” said Cr Baildon said at the time.

“I’ve got no doubt of the viability of it. I’ve got no doubt of the support of the Gold Coast community for it, and I’ve got no doubt that it’s the way of the future.

Artist impression of a possible rapid transit system in Surfers Paradise.

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“It’s been proved throughout other countries in the world.

The light rail had first been proposed in mid-late 1997 and went through years of battles for funding. Stage one was finished in 2014 and stage two took its first passengers in late 2017.

Now, Gold Coasters can look forward to the first sod being turned on stage three.