Gold Coast light rail stage 3A: Funding deal for Broadbeach to Burleigh link imminent
ANDREW POTTS, Gold Coast Bulletin
January 15, 2019 12:13pm

A DEAL to extend the Gold Coast light rail from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads is imminent.

The $660 million tram line is in the hands of state and council bureaucrats after a business case overwhelmingly backed the 6.6km link.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said a few final steps were needed before the state committed funds and construction work begins.

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A Burleigh Heads station artist impression
“The detailed business case for stage 3A has been endorsed by Building Queensland,” he said.

“The business case’s findings and recommendations are now to be considered by all three levels of Government, and will be submitted to Infrastructure Australia and City of Gold Coast.

“Any decision around Queensland Government funding for Stage 3A will depend on the ability to secure funding from both the Federal Government and City of Gold Coast.”

The light rail station at Mermaid Beach.
LIGHT RAIL STAGE 3A ROUTE REVEALED

The Federal Government late last year committed $112 million to the upgrade ahead of this year’s election.

Mayor Tom Tate yesterday said he would move quickly to secure council funds for the transport project once meetings resumed later this month.

He told the Bulletin he was looking forward to an announcement.

“I’m delighted that the business case is now at a stage where Federal and State funding can be formally considered, and locked in,” he said.

The tram entering Burleigh Heads near where a potential future spur line will run.
“Council remains committed to the same funding model we provided to stages 1 and 2.

“I’m keen to get before Full Council early this calendar year to seek the agreement of colleagues to deliver this vital stage of our public transport spine.’’

Early works are expected to begin later this year, with the tramline to take its first passengers in late 2021 or early 2022.

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The Federal Government last year committed $112 million to the project.
The Gold Coast Bulletin late last year obtained the stunning results from independent research conducted for the State Government business case which showed:

* 86 per cent of residents across the Gold Coast support stage 3A to Burleigh and 91 per cent back stage 3B to Coolangatta.

* 72 per cent living in the future Broadbeach-Burleigh corridor support 3A and 75 per cent approve of 3B.

* 80 per cent of businesses in the future corridor support 3A and 83 per cent back 3B