Gold Coast public transport: Calls to fast-track heavy rail to Gold Coast Airport extension

Pressure is growing on the State Government to fast-track the extension of the Gold Coast railway south to Gold Coast Airport after a report revealed how long the work would take.

A BUSINESS case for an extension of the heavy rail should be fast-tracked to ensure the Gold Coast’s public transport matches its growing population.

That’s the call from city leaders who say the time has come for priority to be given to taking both the light rail and trains south to Gold Coast Airport.

IT COULD TAKE 20 YEARS FOR RAIL EXTENSION TO BE BUILT

It could take 20 years to see trains like this rolling into Gold Coast Airport. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

The Gold Coast Bulletin revealed on Saturday the route the line would take and location of four stations across the city’s south.

However, this project is expected to take at least 20 years to be completed.

Coolangatta councillor Gail O’Neill, a strong backer of the rail extension, said it was long overdue.

“I have always been a great advocate of extending the heavy rail and anything which can be dome to speed up the process would be good,” she said.

Councillor Gail O'Neill. Photo: Jerad Williams

“It is necessary, especially given we are not sure when the extension of the M1 to the border will ultimately finish.

“We are a growing city with a population which is set to double in the next 20 years so it is absolutely necessary that this process be sped up.”

HOW MUCH SOUTHERN LIGHT RAIL WILL COST

Map of the planned extension of the Gold Coast heavy rail to Gold Coast Airport

The Bulletin has learned the holdup is the Government’s proposed $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project in Brisbane, with the current Gold Coast line at full capacity – causing transport experts to caution that extending it south will only create more congestion.

The last extension south from Robina to Varsity Lakes was completed in 2009. Work on the route to the Gold Coast Airport might not start now until after 2026.

“Trains on the Gold Coast line are already near full capacity and extending the line would add to overcrowding,” the Robina to Tugun impact assessment study brief says.

The rail extension has long been on the agenda.

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Consultants say the solution is Cross River Rail, which would be the equivalent of creating a 30-lane highway along with new Brisbane CBD stations and a new river crossing.

“This increased capacity will allow for expansion of the rail network, including the extension of the Gold Coast line,” the report said.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey told the Gold Coast Bulletin on Saturday that Cross River Rail was the Queensland Government’s highest priority infrastructure project and scheduled to be operating by 2024.

Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Adam Head

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Mayor Tom Tate backed Cr O’Neill and said a business case would prove the need for such an extension.

“Forward planning of the train extension should be higher up on the agenda, more so that some other infrastructure,” he said.

“Southeast Queensland’s population is growing quickly and building this would be a value for money spend.

“A business case would show it would take people off the M1 and would reflect how much time and productivity would be saved and this would show why this work would tick all the boxes.”