Exclusive report: Gold Coast light rail will create flooding leading to $14 million drainage upgrade bill

Ratepayers are facing a multi-million dollar bill after it was revealed the light rail build from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads will add to flooding risks.

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RATEPAYERS will fork out $14m for drainage on the new Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads light rail line to address flooding risks.

A council report has identified a potential disaster hotspot around Lower Gold Coast Highway near Burleigh where historic infrastructure needs an overhaul.

Repairs during the Broadbeach-Surfers section. Picture Mike Batterham.

Council will need to spend $7.4m in 2021-22 and $7.2m in 2022-23 to ensure the works are completed by December next year.

“The existing stormwater drainage network along Lower Gold Coast Highway in Burleigh Heads was constructed in 1975 to an acceptable drainage standard at the time, which does not meet current levels of service and drainage standards,” the council report says.

The flood depths along Lower Gold Coast Highway substantially exceed City Plan guidelines and at least 25 properties would be impacted by floor flooding during major weather events without the tram works, the report adds.

“Catchment modelling works have also determined that the Gold Coast light rail Stage 3 project will create additional adverse flooding impacts along the Lower Gold Coast Highway,” the report says.

Work on the Southport section of track. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt).

“The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) are committed to mitigating this adverse flooding by completing and funding the required drainage upgrade works within the GCLR3 corridor.

“City officers have determined that through partnering with TMR, the city could improve the capacity of the local drainage network by completing drainage upgrade works in conjunction with TMR’s drainage works, to significantly reduce the risk of habitable floor flooding in the catchment.

“To achieve this outcome, drainage upgrade works downstream of the Lower Gold Coast Highway will need to be completed by December 2022.”

The infrastructure upgrade would occur at Lower Gold Coast Highway at the intersection with Deodar Drive, and further sections to Comet Court, Clinton Avenue and Symonds Road including Deodar Park.

A council spokesperson said the cost of the stormwater project at Deodar Drive and surrounding roads was the city’s commitment to provide drainage improvements to reduce existing flooding.

“TMR will undertake its own upgrade drainage works within the GCL3 corridor, that will complement the improvements to the city’s stormwater drainage network,” the spokesperson said.

Light rail infrastructure construction at Southport.

Council said tenders had been called via expressions of interest. A contract was expected to be awarded by December 2021.

The state government signed an early works contract in July to allow construction of Stage 3 to begin.

GoldlinQ and contractor John Holland Group are undertaking detailed construction planning on the 6.7km corridor, including identifying and inspecting underground services. However, as the Bulletin reported this month, a contract is still yet to be signed.

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Originally published as Exclusive report: Gold Coast light rail will create flooding leading to $14 million drainage upgrade bill