Government makes final call on controversial Light Rail project
The Crisafulli government announced a win for residents this morning, over Stage 4 of the Gold Coast Light Rail project.
Deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie announced the state government would scrap plans to expand the Gold Coast’s tram network this morning at a press conference at Palm Beach.
He said the Crisafulli government conducted an inquiry through the department of Infrastructure and Planning, which showed overwhelming opposition to the project from Gold Coast residents.
“Two thirds of residents of Southern Gold Coast objected to the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4, so I’m announcing today that the Crisafulli government will not be proceeding with Stage 4,” Bleijie said.
The deputy premier said it would cost upwards of $6 billion over budget to complete Stage 4 of the Light Rail project.
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“This is a project the Labor Party originally promised under $3 billion and the review indicates that if Gold Coast light rail stage four was to proceed, it could be upwards of $9.85 billion. That is just shy of $10 billion,” Bleijie said.
Light Rail Stage 4 would have been a 13km southern extension of Stage 3, linking Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta.
More regular buses and a multi-modal transport corridor will instead be considered ahead of the 2032 Olympics.
Currumbin MP Laura Gerber said this development was placing the decision back into the hands of the community.
“Following a packed town hall and thousands of community submissions, the message is clear, with our proper consultation the community has finally been heard,” Gerber said.
