Gold Coast light rail Stage 4: Planning continues on tram extension to airport

Planning continues on the light rail’s southern route as it is named one of the major projects set to lift the Gold Coast out of the COVID-19 downturn.

GOLD Coast workers will have the edge in getting work building more than $4 billion of major infrastructure projects in a bid to dig the city out of the COVID-19 downturn.

But a leading business lobby group says the State Government must reveal its detailed construction timelines in order for local companies to get the benefit from the projects.

Construction is already underway on the $1 billion M1 widening between Varsity Lakes and Tugun and $709 million light rail stage 3 extension.

Artist impression of Coomera Connector at Coomera. Picture: TMR

Gold Coast North Chamber of Commerce secretary Gary Mays said business needed certainty for future projects amid the tough economic times: “Everyone hears about these things getting announced but then it goes quiet but what we really need is some real timelines that the government needs to adhere to.

“This will give people in the industry the certainty they need to plan their schedules.

“We do not want to go back to the days where you couldn’t get onto the M1 because of the number of people driving up to Brisbane for work and watching the money disappear up there.”

Gold Coast North Chamber of Commerce secretary Gary Mays

The State Government invested heavily in Gold Coast infrastructure as part of its big-spending election campaign.

New projects including new public hospitals at Coomera and Tugun and construction of the $2.4 billion Coomera Connector which is expected to begin in mid-2021 and last for more than three years.

Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said local companies would be targeted for jobs on the projects in a bid to boost the economy and reduce unemployment.

Artist's impression – Coomera Connector approaching Parkwood light rail station.

“Building the next stage of light rail, the Coomera Connector, three new train stations and a better M1 are absolutely crucial to the Gold Coast and Queensland’s economic recovery from COVID-19,” he said.

“They will create jobs in construction, support local suppliers and reduce congestion for the 69,000 businesses that call Australia’s sixth largest city home as we come out the other side of this global pandemic.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey. Picture: Alix Sweeney

“The Palaszczuk Government is spearheading an infrastructure boom on the Gold Coast, and Gold Coasters will see shovels in the ground on the second M1 by next year after we secured joint-funding for this project.”

Artist impression of Gold Coast light rail Stage 4 Picture: Supplied

Mr Bailey said early planning had already begun for the next round of major projects which would be centred around the light rail’s stage 4 link from Burleigh to the border.

“We’re also planning for the future with the light rail 4 business case and planning on more frequent east-west public transport between the coast and hinterland, via the AFL stadium,” he said.

“Those projects played an important role in supporting the city’s economy, and our pipeline of upcoming projects will make sure those jobs continue through Queensland’s economic recovery,” Mr Bailey said.