Light rail: Tram link to Gold Coast Airport receives $1m funding boost

The light rail link to Gold Coast Airport has received a surprise boost, with $1 million put towards the project today. Business leaders have welcomed the move

THE light rail link to Gold Coast Airport has received a surprise boost, with $1 million put towards the project in today’s NSW state budget.

The Berejiklian Government put the funds towards the Tweed Heads to Coolangatta link, which has long been proposed.

Artists impressions of the Gold Coast light rail extension to the airport. PHOTO: Supplied

The funds will be used to develop a concept plan for the link which will eventually connect with the Gold Coast light rail.

Queensland Airports chief executive Chris Mills has welcomed news of light rail plans progressing from Tweed Heads to Coolangatta.

Trams will eventually connect with the Airport.

Mr Mills said linkages to the airport from both Queensland and NSW would have major benefits for a range of organisations including the airport itself, businesses based in the airport precinct and organisations like Southern Cross University.

“Light rail is a priority project for the Gold Coast and northern NSW, which we want to see delivered as soon as possible,” he said.

SUBSCRIPTION OFFER: GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS + JABRA WIRELESS HEADPHONES

According to plans revealed in February, two potential routes are being considered:

These include a light rail link from Coolangatta Airport to Tweed Heads, with a second option expanding to Tweed Heads South.

The route would use the former Nerang-Tweed railway and continue through Coolangatta to Bay St, Wharf St and then Minjungbal Drive.