Light rail extension to Burleigh on track says Mayor Tom Tate after State Government briefing

Delighted Mayor Tom Tate hails progress after council gets behind closed doors briefing from State Government bureaucrats about extending light rail to Burleigh and beyond.

LIGHT rail is full steam ahead to Burleigh after councillors today had a closed door briefing with senior State Government transport bureaucrats.

Outside the meeting, Mayor Tom Tate was buoyed by the briefing from a team of transport executives which revealed the costings between the State and council were very similar, showing the project was on track.

A detailed business case is still to be finalised and once finished it will enable the project to get the green light and funding to be determined.

LIGHT RAIL STATIONS CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE

A map showing the proposed light rail Stage 3A extension to Burleigh Heads.

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“We’re going to Burleigh Heads first, it will be up to the next council to take things further,” Councillor Tate said.

“But from my campaigning as Mayor of the city, I said I’d like to see the light rail go all the way to Coolangatta airport.

“I did a survey, a large survey and whole of the city is supportive of that campaign.”

Councillors after the behind closed doors briefing supported a recommendation that council CEO Dale Dickson start talks with the Government about a funding plan for light rail stage 3A to Burleigh.

Where the Burleigh Heads station will be located.

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They agreed to approve operational funding of $425,000 to be provided in the December Budget Review to enable the council to continue to partner with the State to deliver the next phase of the project.

“We had quite an extensive briefing regarding the next phase and the business plan,” Cr Tate told The Bulletin.

“Out of that we made a motion we’re funding further investigation. The time line was shared with us. The way I look at it both State Government and council are working hand in glove.

“We’re all aboard to go to Burleigh Heads. There is no delay to the time line. Our calculation on the cost early in the piece is in line with State Government. We’ve done our homework.”

Previous calculations suggested the Broadbeach to Burleigh line would cost $660 million, and take two years to build. Construction would start late next year or early 2020.

The council could face a bill of between $66 million to $72 million, providing about 10 per cent of the cost in a three-way split with State and Federal governments.