City MP lobbies for fast trains to connect to Gold Coast

FEDERAL MP Steve Ciobo has put the Gold Coast forward to a major global rail company in a push to get fast rail to the city.

FEDERAL Trade Minister Steve Ciobo has invited a global rail company to build a high-speed train linking the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

The Gold Coast MP said there was strong case to be made for a southeast Queensland bullet train given the increasing congestion of the M1 during peak times.

FAIR GO FOR THE GOLD COAST: HAVE YOUR SAY HERE!

His comments came as fellow Liberal MP John Alexander said a high-speed train from Melbourne to Sydney could be operating within a decade.

Gold Coast MP Steve Ciobo wants fast rail to the Gold Coast. Picture: Scott Fletcher

A 2013 study commissioned by the former Labor government concluded the rail network should eventually link Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, as well as the Coast and other major regional centre.

Mr Ciobo raised the possibility of a Coast-Brisbane train when he met with MTR Corporation during a trade mission to China this week.

A CRH bullet train in Beijing, China. Photo: China Photos/Getty Images

MTR invests in railways around the world and has obtained contracts to operate rapid transit systems in London, Stockholm, Beijing, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Melbourne and Sydney.

“I encouraged MTR to look at the Gold Coast and explained the need for a high-speed rail link between our city and Brisbane,” he said.

“MTR has significant major rail projects in Australia and across the world and I believe a vibrant growing city such as the Gold Coast would be perfect for their next project.

“MTR has a unique business model called “rail plus property” that could provide an innovative way to fund a high-speed rail link between the Gold Coast and Brisbane.”

A CRH bullet train in Beijing, China. Photo: China Photos/Getty Images

Under the business model, MTR builds rail lines and stations and in return is given development rights to surrounding land.

The Gold Coast Bulletin has been calling on federal MPs to fight for a better deal for the Coast from Canberra in the lead up to the 2016 election in our Fair Go for the regions campaign.

Transport and M1 congestion is at the top of the wish list from residents.

A spokesman for advocacy group Rail Back on Track, Robert Dow, said the Coast to Brisbane route would have high patronage and could be a testbed for a future east coast fast rail network.

“The first cab off the rank as far as we’re concerned could be Brisbane to the Gold Coast, without a doubt at all,” he said.

A Shinkansen in Japan.

“It wouldn’t have that many stations — a stop at Helensvale to connect to light rail.”

Mayor Tom Tate said the Coast was Australia’s No. 1 tourism destination and high-speed rail from key cities such as Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne would benefit the city and economy.

Other Coast MPs including Karen Andrews, Stuart Robert and Bert van Manen said they supported fast rail for the east coast of Australia.

Mr Robert said in a perfect world the route would go via Brisbane and the Coast but Sydney-Melbourne might have to be built first.

“Having the route go between two pre-eminent cities (Sydney and Melbourne) makes enormous sense but it doesn’t mean we can’t have a stronger vision,” he said.

“As our city gets busier and busier rail becomes crucial. We can’t do everything at once and the cost is horrendous.”

A Shinkansen Bullet Train in Japan.

WHO IS MTR?

MTR Corporation, which is 76 per cent owned by the Hong Kong government, operates commuter, airport and metro rail systems around the world.

It is also manages shopping malls, apartments, retail units and other major buildings along some of its lines.

In Australia it runs Melbourne’s Metro and will run Sydney’s first private commuter railway the Sydney Metro Northwest.

Its business model involves using property development near and above train stations to fund the construction of new lines.