Gold Coast-Brisbane rapid rail idea has Mayor Tom Tate, tourism CEO on board

GOLD Coast leaders call for fast-tracking of rapid rail — and 35-minute Gold Coast-Brisbane trips — but don’t expect to see it in a hurry - neither the Premier or Prime Minister think it's a priority.

GOLD Coast leaders want fast-tracking of rapid rail halving travel times to Brisbane.

But Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is in no hurry to support the ambitious $70 billion vision for southeast Queensland (SEQ).

Rapid trains capable of 250km/h and average speeds of 150km/h — three times faster than the existing 60km/h average — would slash Gold Coast-Brisbane travel times to 35 minutes. The system is proposed in a report by major infrastructure consultants SMEC, commissioned by the SEQ Council of Mayors.

It was commissioned as part of a feasibility study into a potential regional Olympics bid.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said rapid rail would “nicely link” SEQ as a major economic zone, resolve M1 congestion and was “green”.

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Mayor Tom Tate: “We just need to get on with it, plan and start putting funding aside.” Picture: Adam Head

“It’s really going to be the best piece of infrastructure Australian money can buy,” he said.

“We just need to get on with it, plan and start putting funding aside.

“The economic department of State Government should take it on board, get all workings from the Council of Mayors and since we have political will, see if we can get the financial support and economic planning.”

Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista said it was visionary and “couldn’t be implemented faster”.

“The M1 has created numerous challenges for the drive market.

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Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista: “Now is the time to capitalise on increasing greater access to the region.”

“Brisbane remains a vital corridor for supplying the Gold Coast with a steady stream of visitors including the drive market, day-trippers, and vast numbers of travellers who head to Gold Coast after touching down in Brisbane.

“The destination’s tourism appeal will continue to benefit if supported by a more robust network. Now is the time to capitalise on increasing greater access to the region.”

Despite population forecasts showing SEQ will soar from 3.5 million to 5.5m by 2043, Ms Palaszczuk said SEQ didn’t have the population density for rapid rail right now.

Gold Coast Federal MP Steven Ciobo: “We need to plan for future growth and it means taking decisions now rather than playing catch up.

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Gold Coast Federal Minister Steven Ciobo: “We need to plan for future growth and it means taking decisions now rather than playing catch up.” Picture Gary Ramage

“This report, commissioned by other councils — not Gold Coast City Council — is one I’m sure will be looked at,” he said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he loved the vision but more was needed on financials and engineering before Federal Government backed it.

“I love it when people have big ideas and there are no shortage of big ideas whether it’s here on the Gold Coast or anywhere else in the country. But those big ideas and those visions have to get translated into something workable, the engineering, financials.

“I think there is a lot more work to do in those projects before they get on the table for consideration by Federal Government.

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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on the Gold Coast yesterday: “There is more work to do in those projects before they get on the table for consideration by Federal Government.” (AAP Image/Darren England)

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“I’m all for big visions but you have to produce something practical with a real proposal and a business case and when they are at that stage then they can be considered,” Mr Morrison said.

“I commend them for the initiative having a vision for southeast Queensland, that’s what you hope your politicians and local government administrators and mayors are doing. But don’t forget the rates, roads and rubbish.”