Queensland has opened expressions of interest (EOI) for stage two of the Gold Coast Light Rail project, despite needing funding from the Federal Government to go ahead.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has so far held firm on his pre-election promise to only commit federal infrastructure funding to urban roads, leaving the states to fund public transport.
But Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk thinks Abbott should make an exception for Gold Coast Light Rail stage two, because the project is key to a successful Commonwealth Games, set to be held on the Gold Coast in 2018.
And Abbott, despite his prior opposition, has been responsive to that idea, Palaszczuk says.
The premier recently met with Abbott, along with premiers and chief ministers from other states and territories, at the 40th Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in Sydney on July 23.
Palaszczuk told Abbott the project was crucial for the Games. “I put the case that it was the vital missing link and that we need it to provide a state-of-the-art experience for the Games,” she was quoted by the Gold Coast Bulletin, “so people can commute from one venue to another.”
Queensland transport minister Jackie Trad added to Palaszczuk’s comments last week.
“Mr Abbott recently opened the door to consider providing additional funds towards the Commonwealth Games following a discussion with the premier at the recent Council of Australian Governments meeting,” Trad said.
“The Palaszczuk Government is now preparing a business case to enable this project to move from the drawing board to construction in time for the Commonwealth Games – contingent on a federal funding contribution.”
GoldLinQ, the consortium which built and now operates stage one of Gold Coast Light Rail, came to the government with a funding and construction proposal to complete stage two of the line, Trad explained.
The EOI announced on August 6 is for the design and construction of that second stage.
“Going to market with an EOI process will enable us to finalise a revised business case for this key Commonwealth Games infrastructure.
“The Queensland Government looks forward to Mr Abbott’s urgent assessment and funding commitment to make stage two possible in time for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.”
The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games are scheduled for April 2018.
The newly-proposed alignment for stage two extends the light rail line from the existing Gold Coast University Hospital Station, to Helensvale heavy rail station, via a 7.3km link. It’s shorter than the prior proposal, meaning it will be cheaper and take less time to construct, Trad explained.
“A tram journey on the new route would take approximately 11 minutes – more than seven minutes faster than the alternative Olsen Avenue alignment.
“And importantly, it is possible the new route will be able to be delivered for less than half the cost and within a shortened procurement and construction timeframe.
“We need the Abbott Government to step up and make a contribution.”
Stage one of the light rail line, known as G:Link or ‘The G’, features 16 stations and a depot along a 13km line, which runs north to south from Broadbeach to the Gold Coast University Hospital.
It was built under a public private partnership by the GoldLinQ consortium after a contract was awarded in 2009. The contract featured $464 million in funding from Queensland, $365 million from the Commonwealth, and $120 million from the Gold Coast City Council.
GoldLinQ is comprised of construction firm McConnell Dowell, rail designer and manufacturer Bombardier Transportation Australia, and operations and maintenance contractor Keolis Downer, along with financial arranger and commercial adviser Plenary Group.
Stage one of the line marked its five millionth passenger in May this year. The line features 14 of Bombardier’s Flexity 2 trams, each 43.5m in length.