Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh
06/07/2009
Green light for project means jobs, jobs, jobs for the Coast: Bligh

GOLD COAST UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL: Work will start on the Gold Coast Rapid Transit system within weeks creating thousands of jobs and building the infrastructure that Australia's fastest growing city needs, Premier Anna Bligh announced today.

Ms Bligh joined Federal Minister Justine Elliot and Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke to sign the agreement to jointly fund the Gold Coast Rapid Transit project, with the State Government committing $464 million.

"This is it. The planning stage is over. Today we can say we are building the Gold Coast Rapid Transit system," said the Premier, flanked by Gold Coast MPs Peter Lawlor (Southport) , Margaret Keech (Albert), Christine Smith (Burleigh), and Peta-Kaye Croft (Broadbeach).

Ms Bligh said the $949 million project would become the engine-room of the Coast economy, generating 6300 direct and indirect jobs during construction and creating the infrastructure the Gold Coast needs to thrive.

"We know how important construction and tourism are to the Gold Coast and in the current climate both industries are doing it tough," she said.

"That's why this project is so important. It delivers construction jobs now, and builds an iconic and essential piece of tourism infrastructure for the future.

"This will be the only light rail system in the State, and it will literally change the face of the Gold Coast."

Ms Bligh said the government had approved the Business Case for the 13 km project from Griffith University to Broadbeach, including Southport and Surfers Paradise, meaning work could now get underway.

"Residents will see surveyors along the corridor within weeks, with work starting on things like moving electricity lines and water pipes and bridge construction," she said.

"We will use local workers wherever possible - local builders, civil works contractors, specialist consultants and public utility installers.

"This will be a shot in the arm for the local construction industry."

The project will be delivered in three phases:

·Early works - mid 2009 to mid 2011

·Operator procurement - mid 2009 to early 2011

·Infrastructure delivery - early 2011 to late 2013

The completed Rapid Transit system will be up and running by January 2014.

Ms Bligh said government would fund the infrastructure, while a private sector partner would provide the carriages and depots as well as run the service.

"It's a type of public private partnership called an 'operator franchise'," she said.

"State, federal and local government will build the infrastructure, while the private sector will bring finance and innovation to the delivery of the actual service.

"It's the best of both worlds - and we will be looking locally, nationally and internationally for an operator to deliver a one-of-a-kind system for the Coast."

Ms Bligh said a briefing would be held for industry on 29 July, with dozens of companies expected to express an interest in the project.

"The briefing will be the beginning of the tendering phase of the project. Interested companies should visit the project website to get involved.

"Obviously choosing an operator is the biggest decision we have to make. That's why it will take until early 2011 to lock it in.

"But we didn't want to sit on our hands until that happened. The Coast needs jobs now, and by starting early works immediately we can deliver them."

Minister Elliot said the federal government commitment to the project recognised its national, as well as local, significance.

"This was one of only 15 projects to receive funding from the Building Australia Fund. And our $365 million is a big commitment to the Coast," she said.

"Gold Coast Rapid Transit is a project of national significance that will deliver a number of social, economic and environmental benefits to this great city.

"When the project is complete, it will carry an estimated 40,000 workers into Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

"It's expected that 20 per cent of the Coast's total population - as well as 50,000 to 60,000 overnight visitors - will be located within walking distance of the route. That means significant economic as well as transport benefits for the Gold Coast community."

Mayor Clarke said the Gold Coast City Council's significant contribution of $120 million recognised the importance of the project to the city's future..

"This will bring new, permanent jobs a change to the public transport network on the Gold Coast," Mayor Clarke said.

"As a result of the rapid transit system, 4 million bus service kilometres will be freed up along the coastal strip and redirected to areas not directly serviced by the system.

"The system will be integral to servicing the new Gold Coast University Hospital, as well as to the ongoing development of Griffith University.

"The commercial and retail centres of Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, now suffering from increasing road congestion, will be easier to get to, and that can only mean more jobs.

"This project is absolutely vital to this city as we head towards one million residents and I am excited that we are now able to get on with making it a reality."

Tony Bailey