Light rail next stage: special briefing details funding agreement Broadbeach to Burleigh route

Some suburbs will get more green spaces while others will lose on-street parking as a funding agreement on the next stage of the light rail moves towards a milestone.

A FUNDING agreement on light rail Stage 3A is expected before Christmas as the Gold Coast City Council pushes ahead with planning new urban precincts along the route.

Council officers have given a briefing to city councillors revealing a three-year construction period that could mean the tram extension from Broadbeach to Burleigh is open in 2023.

“We are better prepared,” a council officer told councillors. “We are using the time wisely. We want to maintain the project’s momentum in the broader community.”

Asked by councillors when an funding agreement would be in place, the officer replied: “A couple of months. Well, we hope so.”

TATE SLAMS DITHERING POLLIES OVER LIGHT RAIL FUNDING

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A artist impression of Burleigh Heads station.

Pressed further about what was stalling a funding deal, council officers confirmed there was a shortfall of $157 million and both Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had to reach agreement on which government would foot the bill.

Ms Palaszczuk recently admitted the next stage of light rail was looking “positive” after speaking with Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the Council of Australian Governments meeting.

The State Government this month committed $351 million to the project, the council is budgeting for a $92 million spend while the Commonwealth will provide $112 million, about 16 per cent and way down on the 38 per cent contribution for Stage 1.

THE FUNDING FIGHT FOR LIGHT RAIL

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A artist impressions — how it will impact on the Gold Coast Highway at Mermaid Beach.

Council officers maintain they are “readying” for an announcement and in the meantime working on “corridor readiness”.

Part of that work includes “revitalising around Nobby Beach” and significantly increasing the pedestrian areas and green spaces around Burleigh Heads.

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As council officers work on a detailed design element, their plan is to undertake stakeholder engagement early next month.

“We will also look at the corridor north-south but also crossing out into suburbia. What does it look like from a whole corridor design point of view? We want an opportunity to look beyond the kerb,” an officer told councillors.

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Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A — how it links up with Stage One.

“We know there will be changes to the local parking system as people try to access the system. There will be some loss of parking in terms of the Gold Coast Highway with the reallocation of kerbside space.”

Council officers were investigating “the metrics of it” and looking at the options of a “more mature and contemporary parking management approach” for the corridor.

“Not just the linear corridor but into suburban streets,” the officer said.

The traffic impact assessment is due to be completed by this year, and the parking study would continue until 2020 when “possible early works” on the route could begin.