Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A: Properties to be resumed for Broadbeach to Burleigh tram extension

Properties will be resumed to make way for the Gold Coast light rail’s Broadbeach to Burleigh link, as political leaders today celebrated a deal to make the 6.7km extension a reality.

PROPERTIES will be resumed to make way for the Gold Coast light rail’s Broadbeach to Burleigh link as political leaders today celebrated a deal to make the 6.7km extension a reality.

The Gold Coast Bulletin today revealed a deal had been struck between the state and federal governments for Canberra to put an extra $157 million into the project.

Champagne was used to celebrate the big moment today. Picture: Jerad Williams

The Commonwealth injection ended a funding stand-off with the State Government that threatened to derail the project.

State Transport Minister Mark Bailey revealed at a press conference this afternoon that preliminary works would begin in early 2020, with tenders to go out at the same time.

Major construction will begin late next year with the first passengers to board in 2023.

The Caltex will be resumed to make way for the new station.

Mr Bailey confirmed two properties would be resumed to make way for the tram extension, including the Caltex at Burleigh Heads.

“Fortunately with this project there area only two land parcels in question so there will be no hold-ups,” he said.

“The project is very close to its final form, we will now have industry briefings before Christmas,” he said.

“Most of the land is publicly owned.”

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Sam O'Connor MP, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Michael McCormack, Transport Minister Mark Bailey, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, Angie Bell MP, and Meaghan Scanlon MP. Picture: Jerad Williams

The Federal Government injection means it will contribute $269 million to the $709 million project, the same funding percentage it committed for Stage 1. The State Government will tip in $351 million and council $89 million.

State Government-led consultation found 86 per cent of Coast residents wanted Stage 3A, and 91 per cent supported Stage 3B, from Burleigh to the airport at Coolangatta.