Gold Coast light rail: Support for trams to travel north to Harbour Town Shopping Centre

Business and political leaders say a light rail spur line north to one of the city’s biggest shopping centres should be prioritised within the next decade. FIND OUT WHY

Business and political leaders say a light rail spur line north to one of the city’s biggest shopping centres should be prioritised within the next decade.

A tramline running from the existing Gold Coast University Hospital station north to Harbour Town has long been in the plans, with initial tracks laid for it in 2013 during the construction of Stage 1.

Lewis Land Group, which owns Harbour Town and is developing the multi-billion dollar Harbour Shores project now wants the northern line prioritised in coming north as the city’s population heads towards one million people.

The proposed route for a Harbour Town connection was a 3km spur line with several stops, including at Southport Sharks and further north at Central Street.

Lewis Land senior development manager Matt Hill said the light rail was key to the future transformation of the area.

Light rail outside Gold Coast University Hospital. Picture Glenn Hampson

“Everyone knows the future development potential is in the north and it is imperative that there is public transport,” he said.

“Right now it is adequate but as more and more people move here, it will be essential for that to be improved because we are going from a small city to a major player economically and it is essential to have the public transport like the light rail to match.

“It is tough for governments to get the timing right because it’s better to have it before you need it but they had the foresight to set (the future line) up. Why not deliver it in a timely manner?”

However, don’t expect to see a northern tramline until the 2030s, with city and political leaders focused on construction of Stage 3 – between Broadbeach and Burleigh – and planning for Stage 4, which will run from Burleigh Heads to the border via Gold Coast Airport.

Proposed western Gold Coast light rail spur line from Burleigh Heads to Varsity Lakes. Picture supplied by Gold Coast City Council.

Funding is yet to be secured for the Coolangatta route but planning is well underway, with the detailed business case due to be delivered in mid-2025.

That project, if backed by the council, state and federal governments, will be delivered by the 2032 Olympics, meaning other routes won’t be looked at until after that time.

It has long been backed by state LNP MP Sam O’Connor who used his maiden speech in 2018 to describe light rail as “transformative for the Gold Coast” and urging it to “truly become the spine of our transport system”.

“I want to see (light rail) extend along Olsen Ave from the hospital to Harbour Town,” he said in his speech.

Bonney MP Sam O'Connor outside what would be the start of a spur line to Harbour Town on the Gold Coast for light rail.

“The Harbour Town area would become a hub and it would allow easier access to the tram network for people from Biggera Waters and further north.

“The data clearly shows that light rail works. People use it in huge numbers and it increases patronage on bus services too.”

Mr O’Connor, who is running for re-election, this week insisted he “still believed in light rail”.

“It makes sense for Olsen Ave to have some form of mass public transportation connection and we have to figure out what that is,” he said.

“It aligns well with the substantial development Lewis Land has planned for their blocks, as well as Southport Sharks and their masterplan which will involve housing.”