Next step in Tweed light rail connection plan revealed

The Gold Coast’s light rail line will be extended across the border, with the NSW Government pledging funds to get the project under way.

PLANS to build a light rail track across the state border are underway.

The NSW Government has today approved $1 million in funding for a study into a light rail connection in Tweed Heads.

The connection to the Gold Coast light rail is expected to be built following the construction of the extension to Gold Coast Airport.

NSW Minister Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the study comes after the NSW and Queensland governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this year to assess the cross-border region’s needs and build a stronger public transport offering.

“The study will see NSW identify a suitable five-kilometre corridor for a future light rail extension from Coolangatta to the Tweed, while Queensland will investigate the corridor to the north,” Minister Toole said.

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The proposed Tweed light rail line - Set to utilise the former Nerang-Tweed Railway.

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Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said the study would focus on various ways of connecting the Tweed and Gold Coast, including the airport and university.

“This area is a global gateway, with about 30,000 daily cross-border commuter trips between Tweed Shire and Gold Coast occurring every day before COVID-19 restrictions came into place,” Mr Provest said.

“We know we’ll see those numbers again when border closures lift, so it’s important we look at ways now to help make public transport a first-choice option for people in the region by exploring our options.

“The study will also look at how other forms of transport, including buses, cycling and walking could be integrated and improved if the Gold Coast light rail is extended south of the Queensland border.”

Member for Tweed Geoff Provest. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

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The Queensland Government released an Expression of Interest in August for a consultant to carry out the Tugun to Tweed Multimodal Corridor study. Transport for NSW is using the short-listed consultants from the EOI as the basis for a Request for Tender as part of the joint study approach.

The successful tenderer will be announced later this year.