Electricity consumption on Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 works has dropped 23 per cent, thanks to efforts to reduce the project’s carbon footprint.
A host of sustainability initiatives are being employed to get the result including the use of electric vehicles, green energy, biofuels, technology, solar-powered tower lights and active workforce travel incentives.
Artificial intelligence is also used to dictate the best time to charge vehicles with certified green energy when there is less demand on essential power – increasing efficiency and lowering emissions. The Stage 3 sustainability strategy includes procuring 100 per cent green power for work compounds in Broadbeach and Miami, boosting the use of renewable and carbon-neutral biodiesel.
GoldlinQ spokesperson Lucy Ardern said as sustainability standards continued to lift, the Gold Coast Light Rail project needed to lift with them.
“The community expects more than they did when we were building stages 1 and 2, and our approach has changed in line with that,” she said.
“These initiatives are great news for the Gold Coast and come on top of the biggest sustainability advantage of the trams, which is getting cars off our roads and lessening carbon emissions.
“Light rail is one of the most environmentally friendly transport options and tens of thousands more people will be able to choose to catch a tram each day when the G:link runs all the way to Burleigh.”
John Holland Stage 3 Project Director Glynn Ladbrooke said sustainability was central to every project the company was involved in delivering.
“We’re proud to have reduced the overall electricity consumption on Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 by 23 per cent so far,” he said.
“Our decarbonisation pathway is transforming how we manage environmental impacts and climate risk on the project.
“Some of the ways we’re reducing carbon emissions include the electrification of our fleet, using biodiesel for eligible equipment and helping our workforce minimise impacts on the community and environment by thinking about how they travel to work each day.
“We highly encourage our workforce to reduce vehicle use by taking public transport, bike riding, walking, carpooling and other forms of active travel. This also helps us manage parking impacts on nearby streets.”
GCLR3 includes 6.7 kilometres of new dual-track light rail running from Broadbeach south station to Burleigh Heads, eight new light rail stations and five light rail vehicles (LRVs). The Queensland Government, in partnership with the Australian Government and the City of Gold Coast, is delivering the $1.2 billion project.