It is Queensland’s first light rail public transport system, and one of only 15 projects funded from the federal Building Australia Fund, to the tune of $365m. Former runner and Gold Coast mayor Ron Clarke was all smiles at the signing of the joint government funding commitment.
The 13km rail will run from the Griffiths University campus and proposed new Gold Coast University Hospital north west of Southport to Broadbeach, with stops in Southport and Surfers Paradise. It is deemed a project of national importance because of its effect on tourism and the growth of the Gold Coast to one million people. It is estimated that 20% of the Coast’s population and 60,000 overnight visitors will be within easy walking distance of the route, freeing up traffic congestion.
The project will be delivered in a PPP called an ‘operator franchise’, with the three governments building the infrastructure, and the private sector bringing finance and innovation to the delivery of trains, depots and operation of the service.
A briefing for industry was held at the end of July, with many parties showing interest. This marked the beginning of the tendering period. But it will take until 2011 to choose and lock in an operator, the key to the project, Premier Anna Bligh says.
Meanwhile, with planning complete, surveyors have already hit the streets along the proposed corridor and work is about to start on moving electricity lines, water pipes and bridge construction. The local construction industry – builders, civil works contractors, specialist consultants and public utility installers will be used wherever possible, giving a quick boost to the economy.
The project will be delivered in three phases: early works mid 2009 to mid 2011; operator procurement mid 2009 to early 2011; infrastructure delivery early 2011 to late 2013. The light rail service should be running by January 2014.
Premier Bligh says the fast transit rail will “literally change the face of the Gold Coast”.
