Gold Coast fast rail is the untold State Budget story - and it could make a big difference to the gridlocked M1

As debate rages over the light rail, work is continuing apace on another project that could be a game-changer ahead of the Olympics. Here’s what we know.

The untold Gold Coast story from the State Budget is not about funding for light rail going south to the border being on pause. It’s about faster train services north to Brisbane.

The Crisafulli Government has not really sold the plan for Gold Coast to Brisbane fast rail. There is more than $600 million split with the Commonwealth. Half of it, the State will spend in the next financial year.

This will see the number of tracks between Kuraby and Beenleigh doubled from two to four, improving service frequency and reliability for commuters. Removed will be five level crossings, across 20kms. Several stations including Beenleigh will be upgraded.

What does it have to do with the Gold Coast, you ask?

Future upgrades to Beenleigh railway station as part of Gold Coast to Brisbane faster rail.

Firstly, have you ever been caught short heading back from Brisbane and ducked into a station along this route for a loo break? Coppers on the beat used to refer to it as “the Gaza Strip”.

We know that the Cross River Rail upgrade will shorten the final leg into Brisbane for Coast commuters. This is about the section further south.

Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg, in a Budget chat with your columnist about light rail and the Coomera Connector, when asked about fast rail, provided some stunning statistics.

“It will mean an increase in volume. We will move a lot more people,” he replied.

“But also, more importantly, we will be able to run a lot more express trains.”

At present, there can be a stack up of trains negotiating the old tracks out of Brisbane heading south. Cross River Rail has its tunnels completed, but there is still work to be done above ground. All of that work will be completed two years before the 2032 Olympics.

But it’s this section south, connecting with Beenleigh, which makes the service sing.

Upgrades to Kuraby railway station as part of Gold Coast to Brisbane faster rail.

A trip currently stretching into an hour starts being reduced to 40 minutes. No loo break.

“The numbers I’ve been given. We are (will be) moving to about 200,000 movements from the Gold Coast to Brisbane daily. Not just morning and afternoon peaks, peaks during the day,” Mr Mickelberg said.

This is about the Olympics and the reality of athletes and officials being based in Brisbane and the rest of the partygoers living elsewhere.

“Most spectators will be on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. The movement of spectators will be from the two Coasts, which why we are investing so heavily in rail,” he says.

Brent Mickelberg Question Time at Parliament on Budget day. Picture: John Gass

The ultimate winner will be our work commuters to Brisbane and those of us left on the gridlocked Pacific Motorway – because trains will be faster option.

Which takes this conversation to the Budget wish list earlier this week, and both the Community Alliance and Labor frontbencher Meaghan Scanlon calling for a business case into heavy rail being extended further south from Varsity to the border.

If the Crisafulli Government is listening on transport options, it might be worth exploring.

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Originally published as Gold Coast fast rail is the untold State Budget story - and it could make a big difference to the gridlocked M1