Project history

A light rail project has been planned since the late 1990s with both the Queensland Government and Gold Coast City Council recognising the need for a long term solution to growing population demands and increased traffic congestion.

The Gold Coast Rapid Transit project office was established in Southport in 2006 and was followed by two years of comprehensive community engagement and planning work to complete the (CDIMP)](/project-updates/early-works-resources/).

The purpose of a CDIMP is to assess the benefits and impacts of a project. The process is used by the Queensland Government for major infrastructure projects that do not require a formal Impact Assessment Study under State or Commonwealth legislation. The CDIMP represents a ‘best practice’ process of assessing and defining options to meet the project service requirements as well as assessing impacts and mitigation measures.

Upon confirmation of the CDIMP by Government in 2009, the project then sought interest from the private sector to assist in the building and operations of the light rail system. After a competitive bid process, GoldLinQ were announced as the operator of the system in May 2011.

Once operational, the light rail system will be an integral part of the broader Gold Coast public transport network including heavy rail trains and the local bus service. The Gold Coast public transport network is managed by the TransLink Transit Authority (TransLink).
TransLink coordinate and deliver bus, train and ferry services across South East Queensland - one of the largest public transport networks in the world.

For information on the Gold Coast public transport network, including ticketing and timetables, visit www.translink.com.au.

Government funding partners

Stage One of the Gold Coast light rail project is jointly funded by Gold Coast City Council, the Queensland Government and the Australian Government. This is the first time any public transport project in Australia has been jointly funded by all three levels of government.

Government funded early works

Stage One of the Gold Coast light rail project is being delivered in two phases:

• Government funded early works
• Operator Franchise Public Private Partnership (GoldLinQ)

Government funded early construction works will prepare the corridor for construction and includes road widening, the relocation of public utilities, accommodation works such as the reinstatement of driveways, fencing and car parks and the construction of a station shell at the Gold Coast University Hospital.

Government funded early works began in 2010. Construction of the outer shell for the light rail station at the new Gold Coast University Hospital was completed in July 2011, eight weeks ahead of schedule.

Roadworks in Southport are scheduled for completion in early 2012. Roadworks in Broadbeach are scheduled for completion in early to mid 2012.

Government funded early works have delivered far more to the city than the foundations for Queensland’s first light rail system. These additional benefits include:

• telecommunications cabling and pipes for gas and water upgraded with a 50-60 year life
• improvement of stormwater management in known flooding hotspots in Southport and Broadbeach
• state-of-the-art traffic signals have been installed to improve traffic flows
• more than $46 million spent locally on construction related goods and services
• future works to lay the light rail tracks can now be carried out with minimal disruption to the road network.

Potential future stages

Potential future stages of the 40-kilometre route from Helensvale to Coolangatta are:

• the corridor north of Stage One from Griffith University to Helensvale
• the corridor south of Stage One from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads
• the corridor from Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta.

Investigating potential corridors for future stages equips the project team with the information that is needed to identify which will best fulfil the city’s public transport requirements into the future.

Funds for the potential future stages of the project have not yet been committed. Planning activity that has been undertaken for these stages is preliminary only.

Griffith University to Helensvale

The light rail route to Helensvale will link with Stage One at Griffith University (Parklands Drive, Southport) and travel along Olsen Avenue to Harbour Town Shopping Centre, and then along Brisbane Road to Helensvale Rail Station.

There is no intention or requirement to construct the Helensvale corridor before 2016.

Investigations and forecasts have shown that the existing road network and public transport system will sufficiently cater to medium term population growth in the area.

Funds for the potential future stages of the project have not yet been committed.

Planning activity that has been undertaken for these stages is preliminary only.

Background on the route from Griffith University to Helensvale

In 2007, the project team consulted with local residents and business owners to discuss route options to Helensvale. On 24 February 2010, Queensland Government and Gold Coast City Council endorsed Olsen Avenue/Brisbane Road as the preferred route connecting Griffith University to Helensvale.

The Olsen Avenue/Brisbane Road route offered considerable advantages including:

• enhanced accessibility along the corridor
• encouragement of jobs growth
• future opportunities for land development
• better integration of the regional transport network.

Community consultation that was conducted throughout 2007 also identified that residents and business owners in the area also preferred the chosen route.

Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads

At this point in time, only high-level conceptual planning has been undertaken for the potential Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads corridor.

Funds for the potential future stages of the project have not yet been committed.

Planning activity that has been undertaken for these stages is preliminary only.

Contact the government team

For more information about government’s role in Stage One of the Gold Coast Rapid Transit project contact the Queensland Government project team or phone the project hotline on 1800 967 377*.

*Free call within Australia. Call charges apply from mobile phones.