Gold Coast Light rail Stage 3A: Broadbeach to Burleigh link set to open early in 2021
CONSTRUCTION is set to begin earlier than expected on the Gold Coast light rail’s Broadbeach to Burleigh link. A funding boost from the Federal Government has put momentum behind Stage 3A. SEE THE FULL ROUTE VIDEO
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PASSENGERS will be boarding the Burleigh light rail line as early as 2021 with construction starting next year.
The news comes after revelations the Federal Government was committing more than $100 million to the line as an election pledge.
As the Bulletin reported yesterday, the Morrison Government will pledge $112 million in the next financial year to the project.
It is expected to match that amount in the 2020-21 financial year, making up their 30 per cent contribution to the $660 million bid.
All three tiers of government have fast-tracked funds to ensure the third stage is built a year ahead of schedule.
Gold Coast City Council yesterday said it “stood ready” with $66-72.6 million, or 10-11 per cent of the project’s total cost.
Both governments gave similar-size commitments to help get stages one and two built.
The State Government will carry the remaining cost.
Both the State Government and council said they were rapidly working to complete their $10 million business case study, which would provide final costings.
“We stand ready once the business case is finalised,” Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate told the Gold Coast Bulletin from Taiwan.
“Council remains committed to the same funding model that we shared with the state and federal governments on stages one and stage two.”
Plans are now in place for city councillors to vote to approve the funding and fast-track construction as soon as the business case is released before Christmas.
Previously released estimates suggested the 6.4km extension wouldn’t begin construction until 2020 at the earliest and would not be completed until early 2023.
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Stage one, from Griffith University to Broadbeach opened in mid-2014 while stage 2, from the University to Helensvale, opened in December last year.
Sources close to the discussions say McPherson MP Karen Andrews played a major behind-the-scenes role in securing the funding and lobbying then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Mr Turnbull signed off on the project – part of a $7.6 billion roads and rail package the Coalition will take to the next election – just days before he was deposed as prime minister and replaced by Scott Morrison.
Mr Morrison’s office did not respond to requests for comment by the Bulletin.
Ms Andrews yesterday declined to discuss the project.
“The Government’s position is we do not provide commentary on projects which may, or may not, be under assessment,” she said.
Federal Labor are yet to commit to matching the Coalition’s funding but Gold Coast-based Senator Murray Watt said he wanted the upgrade to begin as soon as possible.
“I would urge them to just get on with it,” he said.
A video released yesterday by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) shows eight stops along the new route as well as the potential for two western spur lines – to Robina and Varsity Lakes – which would split off at Miami and Burleigh Heads.
“The business case is advancing and we are analysing a lot of information from the public consultation and we will have something to specifically consider by the end of the year,” Transport Minister Mark Bailey said.
“We are working closely with the council and are united in our support for how good a project this is.”
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