Gold Coasters given sneak peek of designs for light rail beyond Burleigh

A detailed animation showing how a future light rail route beyond Burleigh might look has been released to coincide with the start of community consultation.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said major transport infrastructure projects like the light rail were an important part of the state’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

“We’re investing in public transport on the Gold Coast to create jobs, stimulate the local economy and take cars off the roads into the future,” the Premier.

“It’s thanks to my government that we’ve been able to deliver the first two stages of the light rail. We’re working on stage three.

“And today, we’re giving Gold Coasters an insight into what stage four might look like.

“We want feedback from locals. We want to hear what they think of the designs - that’s what today’s all about.”

Community consultation as part of the development of a preliminary business case for Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 starts today, giving businesses and residents along the alignment and the wider Gold Coast the opportunity to have their say about the planning project.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey invited the community to comment on the 13-kilometre, Stage 4 extension of light rail proposed south of Burleigh Heads.

“We are still very much in the early stages of considering what a future stage of light rail past Burleigh might look like,” Mr Bailey said.

“The flythrough video has been created to give Gold Coast residents a more realistic conception of how a future extension of light rail to Tugun could operate.

"For the next three months, the project team will be at seven locations across the southern Gold Coast to answer questions and provide face-to-face information to residents interested in learning more about the project.

"The community can also provide feedback online via the project website."

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the proposed extension would provide an integrated public transport system between the greater Gold Coast and hubs like the Gold Coast Airport, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Southern Cross University, and Coolangatta shopping and business precinct.

“Our city is growing and moving at a rapid pace – that’s why we’re upgrading the M1, building the Coomera Connector, building light rail stage 3 and delivering three new stations on the coast,” Ms Scanlon said.

“Linking light rail to the airport – together with the M1 and heavy rail – means the Gold Coast will be better connected and less congested.

“We’ve seen people vote with their feet on light rail with more than 50 million trips taken on the existing system since it opened, and this extension will provide greater connectivity and accessibility for all Gold Coasters.”

The proposed Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 extension will service Burleigh Heads Village Centre, Palm Beach Village Centre, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast Airport and Coolangatta shopping and business precinct.

Mr Bailey said the first round of consultation would focus on the Burleigh Heads to Tugun section of the route.

"Until Friday 17 September, the community can provide input to the urban design elements of the Burleigh to Tugun section, including a pedestrian-friendly precinct, active transport options, tram station access and environmental aspects," Mr Bailey said

"Consultation on the Tugun to Coolangatta section will take place in early 2022, following completion of the Gold Coast Highway (Tugun to Coolangatta) Multi-modal Corridor Study."

The Palaszczuk Government has committed $1.5 million to undertake the Gold Coast Light Rail (Tugun to Coolangatta) transport planning study, while $5 million has been jointly committed by the State Government and City of Gold Coast to complete a preliminary business case for Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4.

More information on Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4, including consultation dates and locations, and the online feedback form, are available at www.tmr.qld.gov.au/gclr4.

ENDS

VISION: First look at how a future stage of light rail from Burleigh to Tugun could look

Media contacts:
Jack Harbour (Premier’s office) 0419 620 447
Joseph Ogilvie (Minister’s office) 0423 184 412