The Queensland Government has announced it is opening tenders for the second stage of the Gold Coast Light Rail after positive discussions with the Australian Government.
The Gold Coast Light Rail currently runs between Broadbeach and Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus at Southport. The 7.3 km second stage will continue that line from the university to Helensvale where it will interchange with the heavy rail line to Brisbane.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Jackie Trad said while there was no agreement with the Australian Government yet, she believed they were close to securing a contribution that would allow the project to be built in time for the Commonwealth Games to be held on the Gold Coast in April, 2018.
“We already have strong support for the project from the City of Gold Coast, who have committed $55 million in cash and $3.5 million in-kind support towards Stage 2,” she said.
“Since submitting Queensland’s detailed funding submission to the Commonwealth, we have had very positive discussions with representatives from the Turnbull Government. These discussions demonstrate there is now a genuine willingness to progress this vital infrastructure project which could create up to 1,000 jobs during construction.”
The Queensland Government has requested GoldLinQ finalise the expressions of interest process and release the Request for Tender documentation to the successful shortlisted proponents with bids to close in December 2015.
Trad said the Government was seeking innovative and competitively priced bids from these consortia and an assurance construction will be completed in late 2017 or early 2018.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the Australian Government was pleased to receive the business case for the project and analyse it in detail.
“Since receiving the business case we have been in a position to explore the opportunities and discuss the options with the Queensland Government,” Truss said.
“I am confident that armed with the relevant information we can now move to reach a positive outcome quickly. The Australian Government is already investing more than $13 billion to build the modern transport infrastructure Queensland needs for the 21st century and we are committed to ensuring projects deliver the long-term gains the community expects.”
Image: Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads