Gold Coast City Council spent $325,000 investigating a Nobby Beach-Robina light rail link
A LIGHT rail connection to Robina is under investigation as final negotiations to funding the stage two connection reach a critical point.
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A LIGHT rail connection to Robina is under investigation as final negotiations to funding the stage two connection reach a critical point.
The Bulletin can reveal that Gold Coast City Council has spent more than $325,000 to investigate taking trams from Nobby Beach to Robina as part of a future stage.
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No route has been selected but the Bulletin understands it could cross near Pizzey Park and cross Bermuda Street to arrive at the town centre.
A tender was granted in March to Melbourne-based consultancy Aurecon Australasia for the study, which was conducted between early April and June this year.
Councillors are yet to see the results which will be presented in a report due before Christmas.
Cr Greg Betts, who represents Nobby Beach, said multiple routes would be considered by council before options went to public consultation.
However, Cr Betts said any western route would also likely spark a major increase in high-density development surrounding the new rail corridor.
“We have had the consultants come in and work out what the best possible routes would be,” he said.
“The reality is that it is not about making this the next stage but getting our plans aligned because we will need to get the corridor ready and get the suitable rezoning.
“Any extensions have to come with increased density because that is pretty much what supports the investment in the infrastructure.”
Mayor Tom Tate confirmed the study had been conducted but said his focus would remain on making stage two a reality by 2018.
“Corridor studies such as this are part of that but the focus today must be on stage two of the light rail from Griffith to Helensvale and that is where we are putting our energy,” he said
“Our city transport strategy is about minimising future congestion and shifting our city’s reliance on cars to greater use of public transport in all its forms.”
The new route investigation comes as the State Government prepares to decide whether it will push forward with stage two of the light rail without the assistance of the Abbott Government to make it a reality by the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The final decision will come down to Deputy Premier Jackie Trad to fund the project alongside the Gold Coast City Council which has already pledged $10 million, with an option for more.
It is understood that a decision on funding must be made by the end of the month to allow for a tram-to-train connection to be completed by the 2018 Games.
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