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Gold Coast Rapid Transit
Light Rail system in Ireland.
A light rail train similar to what is planned for the Gold Coast.
Overview
LocaleGold Coast, Queensland
Transit typeLight rail
Number of stations16
WebsiteOfficial website
Operation
Operation will startEarly 2014
Technical
System length13 km (8.1 mi)

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,[citation needed] 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]

Planning

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]

Construction

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]

Route

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]

Stations

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 Light Rail option

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.

Delivery approach

The project will be delivered under a disaggregated delivery method with three core packages: early works, operator franchise and civil assets.

Effect on private properties

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.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Coast light rail gets green light". 6 July 2009.
  2. ^ a b "Gold Coast Rapid Transit tender issued". offtheplangoldcoast.com.au. Australian Online Property Group. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  3. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics, June 2008 Cat No. 3218.0 – Population estimates by Statistical Local Area 2001–2008
  4. ^ Gold Coast Light Rail Feasibility Study
  5. ^ a b Geoff Chambers (14 February 2010). "Chinese in Gold Coast's rapid transit mix". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  6. ^ "Light rail work starts this month". Gold Coast Bulletin. 4 July 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  7. ^ a b c d Gold Coast Rapid Transit. Queensland Government. 2011. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  8. ^ "GoldlinQ selected to build Gold Coast light rail". Railway Gazette. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  9. ^ "Gold Coast Rapid Transit project update". Coomera Chamber Of Commerce. 12 March 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  10. ^ a b Geoff Chambers (24 December 2009). "Flurry of Coast rapid transit resumptions". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 4 July 2010.

External links

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