State Government backs light rail stage three on cabinet visit to Gold Coast

BEMUSED workers on the second stage of the light rail got a round of applause for welding the last of about 460 joins on the rails for the 7.3km extension.

BEMUSED workers on the second stage of the light rail were treated to a round of applause from a group of senior politicians after welding the last of about 460 joins on the 7.3km extension yesterday.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Transport Minister Jackie Trad, Federal Trade and Tourism Minister Steve Ciobo, Senator Murray Watt and Mayor Tom Tate all witnessed the historic welding at Helensvale.

The Premier, in town for the sitting of the State Government’s Community Cabinet this week, used the occasion to announce the state will contribute half the $10 million cost of a business case for the light rail to be further extended from Broadbeach to Burleigh.

“Light rail has fundamentally changed public transport on the Gold Coast and once stage two opens, people will be able to travel seamlessly across the Coast and to Brisbane,” she said.

“In recognition of how transformative GCLR has been, I am very happy to announce that my Government is committing $5 million for the development of a detailed business case for stage 3A in collaboration with Gold Coast City Council.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk joined by Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Jackie Trad, Mayor Tom Tate and Federal MP Steve Ciobo to view the final rail weld to complete track laying of the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 at Helensvale Station. Picture Glenn Hampson

Mayor Tom Tate said he hoped construction of stage three could begin in mid-2019.

Ms Trad said installation of wiring for trams on stage two would begin in coming weeks ahead of testing late this year.

GoldLinQ chairman John Witheriff said the most difficult part of construction had been the removal of rock at the Smith St section of track.

“Motorists who drive the Smith Street Motorway would have seen the works at the end of Uplands Dr where we have removed about 84,000 tonnes of rock, which has reduced the height of the hillside by about 18m,” he said.

Patronage on the existing network has increased 27 per cent since it launched three years ago, with 665,000 people a month using the trams.

A new 1000-space carpark at Parkwood station is also under construction, while 400 additional spaces will be created at Helensvale station.