Gold Coast light rail: Millions to be spent on business case for airport link

The light rail may divide opinion on the Gold Coast but leading officials insist it holds the key to an economic recovery. READ ALL THE DETAILS

MORE than $7 million will be spent on a business case on extending the light rail to Gold Coast Airport.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Mayor Tom Tate on Thursday morning announced the deal, which will also see investigations into rapid transit options to Robina and Nerang.

The $7 million will be spent evenly between the state and council.

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“This business case will support the next critical steps needed to push major transport investment on the Gold Coast forward, which is vital for Queensland’s economic recovery,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“This is about building a pipeline of projects that can continue to support and create jobs, boost our economy and improve transport for locals, particularly those living on the southern end of the Gold Coast.”

Mayor Tom Tate, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Transport Minister Mark Bailey in Broadbeach to announce funding of the business case for light rail to be extended to Gold Coast Airport. Picture: Andrew Potts.

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Cr Tate said the southern link was critical to the city’s future.

“It will result in a 40km public transport spine linking key employment, transport, health and education locations,” he said.

“Ideally we will finish stage 3 and immediately break ground on stage 4.”

That would occur in 2023.

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The east-west transport study will assess the potential for light rail to connect to Metricon Stadium and look at locations for infrastructure such as bus stops and stations, electric vehicle charging requirements and depot infrastructure along the corridors.