Gold Coast light rail Stage 4: Warning there is a ‘slim window’ to get trams built by 2032 Olympic Games

State money has been earmarked for coming years tied specifically to the in-limbo extension of light rail as political leaders are warned they have a ‘slim window’ to get it built by 2032.

State money has been earmarked for coming years tied specifically to the in-limbo extension of light rail south of Burleigh, new transport and roads investment documents reveal.

Despite the project being on hold and under review by the government, a deep dive of the recently released Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) reveals $5.3m will be spent on planning this financial year, with a surprise $4.6m beyond this year.

The funding is in a line item labelled “Gold Coast Light Rail (Stage 4), Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta, planning”.

The program, published following the June state budget, details the state’s spending on infrastructure projects from the current financial year through 2028-29.

The Crisafulli government says the figure is not new funding but part of the $30m put forward by both the council and state government for the business case, with the money spread across several financial years.

Artist impression of Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 between Tugun and Coolangatta, including Gold Coast Airport and the NSW border. Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg said the government was “delivering” on its election commitment to review the project.

“The independent review is in the technical analysis phase since the closing of the public consultation,” he said.

“The Crisafulli Government are committed to transparency and will release the findings of the report once the independent review is completed.”

Premier David Crisafulli will face questions about public transport plans south of Burleigh to the border and Gold Coast Airport at today’s Future Gold Coast event as pressure grows for him to commit to the key infrastructure project.

Premier David Crisafulli Picture: Adam Head

Mr Crisafulli, who is a guest speaker at the event, will present his vision for the city in the years leading up to the 2032 Olympics.

Mayor Tom Tate said the continued spending of the funds was welcome, but it was critical that it lead to the system being built.

“While it’s pleasing to see the money for the stage 4 business case still sits in the State budget, the immediate future of the project is in the hands of the state government,” he said.

“As I have said, I firmly believe that the business case, co-funded by Council and State just as for stages 1, 2 and 3, should proceed so we can understand the precise costs and technical requirements of stage 4.

Mayor Tom Tate. Picture Glenn Hampson

“This will enable a well-informed investment decision for all levels of government.”

Stage 4 was put on hold after the LNP came to power in October promising a review, with public consultation wrapping up in May.

Mr Crisafulli, who previously said that “doing nothing is not an option”, said talks were ongoing about the project’s future.

Transport experts, non-state political leaders and demographers, including Future Gold Coast keynote speaker Simon Kustenmacher, have all backed the project in recent weeks. They warn the city will grind to a halt without key transport infrastructure.

Stephen Harrison Picture, Portia Large.

Gold Coast Light Rail Business Advisory Group chair Stephen Harrison said the continued funding of the business case was positive, but there was only a slim window and urged the government to act.

“There is no question the existing network is a success, the people have spoken with their feet and it will have two million passengers a year upon completion,” he said.

“Costs have been a big talking point and we know the estimates provided have been grossly inflated, regarding the suggestion it would cost $6bn, however any delay will mean it will be more expensive.

“We have a brief window now to complete the business case and get it done before the Olympic Games in 2032 and this would be the best outcome for the Gold Coast and southeast Queensland.”

Mr Tate also recently dismissed the suggestion raised by the former Labor state government that the 13km tram line would cost more than $7bn.

Then transport minister Bart Mellish in April 2024 revealed a preliminary evaluation report had put the cost of the project between $3bn to – at its most extreme – $7.6bn.

Mr Harrison said he was looking forward to Mr Crisafulli’s speech and insisted the business community was united behind the project.

“It is great there is money allocated beyond 2026 to complete this work,” he said.

“The business community is asking the state to commit to this now because this is the highest infrastructure priority on the Gold Coast.

“If it is not done now, congestion will only increase, frustration will increase, travel times will increase and the need for stage 4 will only increase.”

Budget documents released in June revealed trams are more popular than ever.

Department of Transport and Main Roads figures reveal nearly 14 million people rode the tram between Helensvale and Broadbeach during the 2024-25 financial year, up 21 per cent on the previous 12 months.