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A light rail train similar to what is planned for the Gold Coast. |
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| Locale | Gold Coast, Queensland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transit type | Light rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of stations | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | Official website | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operation will start | Early 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Gold Coast Rapid Transit project is a proposed light rail system in Gold Coast, Australia. Stage 1 of the project will link Griffith University (Gold Coast campus) with Broadbeach, passing through the key activity centres of Southport and Surfers Paradise. The Government of Queensland and the Gold Coast City Council are working together to build a light rail system between Helensvale and Coolangatta.
The two-stage project will generate 6,300 direct and indirect jobs during construction and commissioning. The first stage of the Gold Coast Rapid Transit system will operate on a 13 km line between Griffith University and Broadbeach, passing through the key activity centres of Southport and Surfers Paradise. The system will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with services every 7–8 minutes during peak times, and will move up to 10,000 people an hour. The system is likely to be operational from Griffith University to Broadbeach by early 2014.[1] According to Anna Bligh, this project will be the first light rail network of any regional Australian city.[2]
Stage One of the Gold Coast Rapid Transit system will generate a number of social, environmental and economic benefits for the city including:
reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 114 000 tonnes over the first 10 years of operation, improving local air quality reducing the number of vehicle trips by 10 per cent generating roughly 6300 jobs providing a frequent and reliable form of transport establishing an integrated and expanded public transport network on the Gold Coast.
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The Gold Coast is one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.[3] The project was first proposed in the Gold Coast City Council Transport Plan 1996 after some years of consideration and review. Further studies eventually culminated in the Gold Coast Light Rail Feasibility Study. This started in 2001 with the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments each contributing $650,000 and the Gold Coast City Council also financially committing millions. In 2004 the draft summary report was released.[4]
In 2009 the Queensland Government has committed $464 million to the Gold Coast Rapid Transit project, supplementing $365 million committed by the Australian Government and $120 million provided by Gold Coast City Council.[5] This funding allowed the project to transition from the planning phase into procurement.
Bids for roadworks were called for in May 2010.[2] Construction began on the Gold Coast University Hospital station shell in July 2010, after Leighton Holdings was awarded a contract.[6] In late 2010, early roadworks began in Broadbeach and Southport.[7] In May 2011, Goldlinq was awarded a contract to build and operate the rail system.[8] In July 2011, the Gold Coast University Hospital Station shell was completed with the final fitout to commence just prior to 2014.[7]
It is expected that the early roadworks in Broadbeach and Southport will be completed by the end of 2011 before the construction of the light rail corridor begins in early 2012. By late 2013, the construction of the corridor is expected to be completed with the testing and commissioning of the system to begin. The first passengers are expected to board in 2014.[7]
Stage 1 comprises a 13 km dedicated light rail corridor that will link Griffith University (Gold Coast campus) with Broadbeach, connecting the key activity centres of Southport and Surfers Paradise. It will primarily operate in a centre running configuration. The route has been criticised by the Southport Chamber of Commerce because it may negatively affect traders and customers in the central business district.[5]
Proposed stations identified by the Concept Design and Impact Management Plan (CDIMP) are at:
Other identified future stations are Helensvale railway station and Harbour Town. A connection at Helensvale is not expected to be needed until after 2016 at the earliest.[9] Corridors heading south from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads, and from Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta are also being looked at.[7]
The government has committed to the use of standard gauge low floor rolling stock powered by 750 volt DC overhead catenary. This will preclude any future integration with other rail on the Gold Coast which uses a narrow gauge configuration but facilitates connection with the Rail Head at Murwillumbah in New South Wales.
The project will be delivered under a disaggregated delivery method with three core packages: early works, operator franchise and civil assets.
The proposed system will have significant impact on property both directly and indirectly in the corridor. The government has confirmed that all directly affected property owners have been contacted. In 2009, A$16.5 million was spent on property resumptions.[10] A total of $170 million has been allocated for all resumptions. The Queens Park Tennis Club and Southport Croquet Club will both be relocated.[10] The government has not released the detailed planning for the project on their website, citing that the files are too large.