Queensland’s independent infrastructure advisor is set to approve the third stage of light rail on the Gold Coast, a year after the second stage of G:link opened to the public.
Transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey said the recently-completed business case shows “the numbers stack up to move ahead” with the 6.7-kilometre extension to the Gold Coast Light Rail network.
Stage 3A of G:link would extend from the existing southern terminus at Broadbeach, to Burleigh Heads further down the coast.
The majority of the new railway would be built along the median strip of the Gold Coast Highway.
The Building Queensland board is set to formally consider the detailed business case for Stage 3A this week, after the report was recently completed by a joint Building Queensland/Department of Transport and Main Roads team.
But Bailey indicated the business case would stack up to the board’s approval process.
“I’m pleased to say we agree the numbers stack up to move ahead with the 6.7-kilometre Stage 3A alignment between Broadbeach South light rail station and Burleigh Heads,” he said.
“[The board’s] evaluation will ensure the construction cost, job numbers, economic benefits, operating efficiencies, community and environmental impacts of the project are understood.”
Subject to the board’s consideration, the findings and recommendations of the business case will be considered by the State Government in early 2019, Bailey said.
He also indicated the state would seek contributions from the Federal Government and local council towards the extension.
“There are still steps we need to take at the tail end of getting ready for Stage 3A,” he said. “Any decision around future Queensland Government funding for Stage 3A will depend on that evaluation and the ability to secure funding from both the Federal Government and City of Gold Coast.”
If funded, Bailey said construction on Stage 3A could start by 2020.
The business case news comes a year after the 7.3-kilometre Stage 2 of G:link was opened.
In the 12 months since December 17 – when Stage 2 was opened – more than 10.5 million trips have been taken on G:link, up from roughly 7.9 million trips in the 12 months before Stage 2 opened.