Gold Coast light rail stage 3A: $112m funding committed to Broadbeach to Burleigh tram extension

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison has landed on the Gold Coast to announce the Federal Government’s $112m commitment for the next stage of the light rail to Burleigh Heads.

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed the Federal Government will provide $112 million to fund the light rail extension to Burleigh.

Speaking at the Broadbeach South station this morning, Mr Morrison said his announcement, which pre-empts the business case for the project, is an indication of “where the project is going”.

“We are getting on with it, we are hearing and we are doing,” the Prime Minister said.

“What we are here to announce today is $112 million for stage three of the Gold Coast light rail from Broadbeach to Burleigh.

“This has been a multi-billion dollar project and the Commonwealth has now invested and committed over half a billion dollars to the project since it commenced.”

Mr Morrison said that while work remained to be done on the business case for the project, it was important to provide funding certainty.

“Yeah the homework still has to be done, and the homework will be done to make sure you execute it in exactly the right way,” he said

“It’s not unlike what we are doing in Townsville with the pipeline: the homework still has to be done on the finer details of the project, and its costings, but you have got to tell people where you are going.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison arrives on the Gold Coast.

Both the State and local government have held off any funding commitment for the piece of infrastructure until the final business case is complete.

The PM continued his pressure on the state government to fast track the project.

“This is the largest single investment of a commonwealth government light rail project anywhere in the country,” he said.

LIGHT RAIL STAGE 3A ROUTE REVEALED

LNP Gold Coast Minister Karen Andrews, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister Steven Ciobo at the announcement.

“At the end of the day the Queensland government is still responsible for infrastructure in Queensland, that is actually their day job and what they need to be involved in and supportive of.

“So we (federal government) are here, we have turned up, the invitation is there for them to show up too for stage three.”

Minister for industry science and technology Karen Andrews addressed the ongoing concerns of Palm Beach and Burleigh locals who have issue with the project’s planned path.

WHAT LOCALS THINK OF TRAM EXTENSION

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A artist impressions and stations between Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads.

WESTERN LIGHT RAIL LINKS REVEALED

“I have long supported the light rail going from Broadbeach through to Burleigh,” she said.

“The issue remains as to where it will terminate at Burleigh, and I call on the State Government and the local council to make sure they consult properly with the community, to make sure the light rail meets the needs of the community both for the residents and the tourists on the Gold Coast”.