Gold Coast light rail stage 3A: Federal Government set to fund fast-tracking work for tram upgrade

Millions of dollars could be poured into dramatically fast-tracking two of the Gold Coast’s biggest infrastructure projects in a bid to ease the economic pain of the coronavirus crisis.

MILLIONS could be poured into dramatically fast-tracking two of the Gold Coast’s biggest infrastructure projects in a bid to stimulate the city’s economy.

The M1 upgrade and light rail extension from Broadbeach to Burleigh are among several “shovel-ready” projects the Federal Government will consider putting funding towards to bring the start of construction forward as part of a series of measures to keep the Coast moving.

Coast-based Industry Minster Karen Andrews said these projects would be looked at as part of a stimulus program.

The Federal Government will not look at putting money towards light rail stage 3B. Picture: Supplied

However, she said there would be no money for a business case for Stage 3B from Burleigh to the Airport, despite calls today by Mayor Tom Tate.

“As a government we are open to looking at shovel-ready infrastructure projects so I am happy to take those opportunities for us to look at how we could work with the State Government to fast-track the M1 upgrade to Tugun and what opportunities there are with Stage 3A.

“At this point the work put into a business case is not going to deliver the results we need immediately.

“Of course that planning should be able to continue but we are focused as a government on shovel-ready projects.”

Construction of Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads extension is on track to begin on time despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Work on Stage 3A was expected to begin mid-year after contracts are awarded.

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A is set to be fast-tracked.

With the global healthcare crisis escalating, there were fears that infrastructure would grind to a halt.

But GoldLinQ chairman John Witheriff moved to quash fears outside the city’s coronavirus Taskforce meeting at Evandale this morning.

Mr Witheriff said the work would proceed, while no services would be wound back.

“Without putting too fine a point on it, there are serious issues facing the Gold Coast and it is a time for people to be calm, think about what they are doing, be sensible and not panic,” he said.

John Witheriff

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“We are going to have this issue with us for some time, months and months, but we have to ensure we are well-prepared.

“It is business as usual for light rail. We have identified risks and things which will adversely affect the networks there are but we have had the benefit of the operator being the same as it is in Shanghai so we saw what happened there.

Mr Witheriff said procurement of Stage 3A was “on track”.

Mayor Tom Tate wants funding for stage 3B. Picture: Jerad Williams

“The activities are underway, there have been lots of changes to make sure we have the right people separated but it is business as usual and we are on target to have those contracts out.

“There will be 700 jobs and we want to bring those on as fast as possible to ensure that when the recovery begins there is construction and supply activities for the Gold Coast.

“It is about saving what we have got, making sure people are not lost to the system and how do we focus, once we move out of this phase, on recovering.”

Mayor Tom Tate called on the State and Federal Governments to consider putting up funding to launch the business case for the Burleigh Heads to Gold Coast Airport extension of the tram system as part of an economic injection into the city.