Gold Coast light rail Stage 3A: Deputy Prime Minister calls for infrastructure projects to be fast-tracked

Construction of the Gold Coast light rail’s southern link could be fast-tracked as part of an economic stimulus push backed by the Deputy Prime Minister.

CONSTRUCTION of the Gold Coast light rail’s Burleigh link could be fast-tracked as part of an economic stimulus push.

Fears of a significant economic downturn in the face of coronavirus and the devastating bushfires have sparked an urgent call from Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack for state governments to kickstart essential infrastructure.

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A artist impressions and stations between Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads

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Mr McCormack yesterday wrote to all state premiers asking for them to bring forward the works.

“(We’ve asked) them to make sure that they could bring forward more projects … that we can get done within the next three to six months to help make sure that the economy stays on track, to help to make sure that we get through the ailments that have beset our economy and our nation since last November,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure Michael McCormack. Picture Gary Ramage

“Whether it’s big projects such as highways, byways, right down to roundabouts, making sure that we can start work, indeed even finish them within the next three to six months.”

Cities Minister Alan Tudge cited the Gold Coast light rail’s $709 million Broadbeach to Burleigh extension as one project which could be brought forward.

“Equally with the Gold Coast light rail or the Tonkin Highway over in Western Australia, all of these types of projects are going to be occurring very quickly, if not this month,” he said.

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Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

State Transport Minister Mark Bailey told the Bulletin that all levels of government needed to boost the economy but called on the Federal Government to get behind fast-tracking major Coast projects such as the Coomera Connector.

“It was a pleasure to join Mr McCormack in Broadbeach last year to celebrate the light rail deal,” he said.

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Popping Champagne at the light rail announcement last year. Picture: Jerad Williams

“If he’s developed a taste for fast-tracking new federal dollars for the Gold Coast, I’m happy to do another bottle shop run and meet him on the GC to pop more corks on new funding for the second M1.”

Early surveying works have begun on the Coomera Connector corridor between Carrara and Stapylton but there is no start date for construction.