Gold Coast light rail: New video released as construction to finally begin on Broadbeach to Burleigh tram extension
A new video has been released giving the most detailed view yet of the light rail extension from Broadbeach to Burleigh, with construction work on the line about to begin. WATCH THE VIDEO >>>
Gold Coast
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A new video has been released giving the most detailed view yet of the light rail extension from Broadbeach to Burleigh.
The fly-through video, released by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, gives a clear look at how the new line will transform areas along the route including Mermaid Beach, Nobby Beach and Miami.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey has urged locals to support businesses in the area when construction begins, with underground works close to starting on the extension.
The looming construction start - which comes after an agreement was reached on the Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads stretch - has sparked fears of severe economic impacts for businesses in the area similar to what was seen in Surfers Paradise from 2011 to 2013.
GoldlinQ and contractor John Holland Group are now undertaking detailed construction planning on the 6.7km corridor, including identifying and inspecting underground services.
TMR has revealed contractors will be “on the ground” talking to businesses and residents about the planned construction site during the next six weeks.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said fast-tracking delivery of major infrastructure projects was central to the government’s Covid-19 economic recovery plan.
“Building new infrastructure is vital to creating jobs on the Gold Coast,” the Premier said.
“We’re working hard to bring forward construction on as many projects as possible to rebuild our economy and create jobs.
“Initiatives like light rail feature prominently in our Covid-19 economic recovery plan.
“We’ll continue to invest in transport on the Gold Coast to take more cars off the road and cater for growth in the future.”
The group will also host a local industry forum in September, presenting to potential local suppliers on upcoming work packages and answering questions.
Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey said: “The most important way the community can support businesses between Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads and ensure their long-term success is for regular customers and locals to continue shopping locally.
“This is a $1 billion project that will create local jobs, with most of the wages and payments to the workers and suppliers going straight back into the local and regional economy.
“Building the next stage of light rail presents opportunities over the next few years for local contractors, workers and suppliers on the Gold Coast.”
John Holland was selected as the preferred contractor for the project in late 2020.
The announcement of initial works paving the way for construction follows a Bulletin report in June which revealed the tram system had finally bounced back from its pandemic 2020 lows.
State budget documents showed 6.04m trips were taken on the light rail during the 2020-21 financial year, up from the anticipated 5.6m predicted six months ago.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate labelled seamless public transport “crucial” to the city’s future.
“The light rail corridor, from Helensvale all the way to Coolangatta, is seen as our public transport spine,” he said.
“From that, we will link rapid public transport connections both east and west.
“Studies are now underway into these east-west connectors which may involve hydro buses, electric buses and even automated transport modes including driverless systems.
“Our long-term planning for reliable public transport must include the state and federal governments so I’m delighted that work on stage 3 underground works is about to start.”
The next round of community consultation on the 13km Stage 4 extension from Burleigh to Coolangatta will begin on July 12.
New data: How popular light rail actually is
THE state government says patronage on the Gold Coast’s tram system has bounced back from its 2020 Covid-hit lows, with new data revealing a beyond-expectations growth.
State budget papers reveal 6.04 million trips were taken on the light rail during the 2020-21 financial year, up from an anticipated 5.6 million forecast just six months ago.
While better than expected, they remain the lowest number of trips since 2014.
The government expects passenger numbers to exceed more than 8 million in the coming financial year, still below the pre-Covid high-water mark of 10.9 million trips in 2019-20.Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the figures backed the state holding the course and pouring extra money in the Broadbeach to Burleigh extension, which is expected to begin construction this year.
“We know Gold Coast residents want certainty around the pipeline of investment and their job security and this budget delivers that certainty,” he said.
“Major projects like light rail and Stage 1 on the second M1 between Nerang and Coomera account for a substantial portion of that investment.”More than $113 million extra is in the budget to ensure the $1.044 billion, 6.7km tram extension from Broadbeach begins this financial year, after the project was hit by delays and a major cost blowout over a contract dispute.
The original cost of the build was just over $700 million.
Mr Bailey said an announcement on the contract would be made in coming weeks.
The state government will spend an extra $200 million to make up the shortfall. Budget papers reveal the bulk of the money on the tramline will occur in the 2022-23 financial year and beyond.
Construction is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025.
But the Opposition says the government put too little into it this year.
Bonney MP and tram supporter Sam O’Connor said he feared the project would face continued delays.
“The hope we had was that this would be done and dusted in the next couple of years so we could move on to the next stage,” he said.
“But the budget papers reveal the funding now goes through past the next election (across forward estimates).
“This year’s budget only has 10 per cent of the overall funding and there is still no contract signed.”
IT’S ON: WHAT CASH MEANS FOR BURLEIGH TRAM BUILD
CONSTRUCTION of the light rail’s long-delayed Burleigh extension can begin before the end of the year after the State Budget provided critical missing cash.
The Gold Coast’s other major transport project – the Coomera Connector – will also receive a massive boost in funding with Budget papers showing an accelerated forward spending plan.
More than $113 million extra is in the budget to ensure the $1.044 billion, 6.7km tram extension from Broadbeach begins this financial year, after the project was hit by delays and a major cost blowout over a contract dispute.The original cost of the build was just over $700 million.
The state government will spend an extra $200 million to make up the shortfall. Budget papers reveal the bulk of the money on the tramline will occur in the 2022-23 financial year and beyond.
Construction is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the extra money would allow construction of the track to begin once the contracts were signed.
“This budget gives certainty around major infrastructure projects that were ignored by the LNP, confirming the continuation of funding for upgrades to the M1, second M1, new train stations to support Cross River Rail and extending light rail,” he said.
“The state government has now locked in the remaining funding needed to build light rail to Burleigh, with a budget of $1.044 billion, and the final project cost being subject to commercial negotiations.
“Negotiations are progressing with (contractor) John Holland on the rollout for construction and I hope to have more to say about that in the coming weeks.”
QUEENSLAND BUDGET ON TRACK FOR SURPRISE SURPLUS
In May, The federal government committed an extra $126 million to help cover the shortfall.
Mayor Tom Tate said the funding was critical to decongesting the city’s south.
“It’s great to see the $1.3 billion infrastructure investment for our city,” he said on Tuesday.
“The transport infrastructure spend reaffirms their additional $113 million for Stage 3 light rail. Let’s now all get on board knowing we have money in our pockets.”
Coast hospitality boss Scott Imlach, a strong supporter of the light rail, said he wanted work to begin immediately but urged the government to keep affected businesses informed.
Mr Imlach, who owns several venues from Broadbeach to Burleigh, said a lack of transparency was “terrifying” people.
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“Everyone is kept in the dark and I think once the government and council release the action plan of what is going to happen and with time frames, people will be happy about it,” he said.
“Is (Stage 3) going to be built in stages, is it one whole run, how much of a disruption is it going to have on the Gold Coast Highway?”
Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall welcomed the transport infrastructure spend, saying it would help alleviate the city’s growing pains.
“Infrastructure funding is crucial for the Gold Coast, particularly in this post-Covid world where international visitors are still far away,” he said.
“Getting people here to visit and spend is the lifeblood for our businesses and is vital for meeting population growth. Light rail funding is welcomed as we will need to have connectivity to both airports effectively.
“Light rail will take pressure off civil infrastructure and make travel to, and from, our businesses better.”
‘THE SHADOW FROM THESE BUILDINGS WILL BE A HORROR SHOW’
The government has committed $115 million for the second M1 in 2021-22. Construction is expected to begin before Christmas.
Workers late last year conducted drilling tests near the Coomera River and the government has been completing community consultation.
At least $1.3 billion of the road’s $1.5 billion total cost will be committed during the 2022-23 financial year. It is tipped to take 60,000 cars off the M1 each day.
‘HUGE LOSS’: WHY WE NEED STUDENTS BACK
THE Gold Coast risks an economic disaster and being reduced to a third-class location for international students, the city’s three universities have warned.
Bond, Griffith and Southern Cross universities fear Queensland will fall behind NSW and Victoria in the post-Covid world while those states rapidly advance plans for special quarantine facilities to help bring back students.
The universities and business leaders are lobbying the state government to do the same or face long-term financial loss beyond the initial hit taken when borders closed in March 2020.
In a detailed plan to the Palaszczuk government, a consortium of the state’s universities said their plan was not about foreign students jumping queues or taking the places of Australians stranded overseas.
Bond University Vice Chancellor Professor Tim Brailsford said the international industry, worth more than $40 billion annually, was key to the Gold Coast’s future.
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“We strongly believe it is time to embrace the concept of returning international students to Australia,” he said.
“This can be done in a measured way that keeps Australians safe while clearing a pathway to the $40 billion international education industry.
“International students provide an enormous economic and social boost to the wider economy because they live and spend on the Gold Coast, supporting local businesses and working in cafes, restaurants and retailers.”
Prof Brailsford said more than one third of an average student’s living expenses were spent in the retail and hospitality sector.
Pre-Covid data shows the economy benefited $4 for every single dollar spent by an international student.
“Local businesses have been missing that cash injection for more than a year with no way of replacing it while international borders remain closed,” he said.
NSW has proposed converting existing student accommodation into special quarantine facilities.
In its state budget last week, the Victoria government expected overseas migration and international student numbers to remain below pre-Covid levels until mid-2025.
International students are worth $14 billion annually to that state.
Griffith University Vice Chancellor Professor Carolyn Evans said it was “essential for Queensland to remain competitive with other states and territories, as well as other countries.
“We are already seeing countries around the world welcoming international students in a safe and sustainable manner and we look forward to seeing a similar approach here.”
Southern Cross University vice president Ben Roche said a balance “needed to be struck between health considerations, the repatriation of Australian citizens and the impact of the loss of international students”.
Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan said he had held “productive” discussions with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on the issue.
“The premier is very aware of this and there are talks underway to make sure we do not lose ground,” he said.
“Students play a role, not just in the university but in the hospitality and agriculture industries.
“This is not just a short-term loss we are facing and we cannot afford to lose this ground to other states.”
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