Works are getting underway to prepare for major construction on the $709 million Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A in Queensland, including fences being set up near light rail stops at Broadbeach to establish a construction compound for the project.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that the State Government will continue to deliver major projects as well as support jobs to help Queensland recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Light rail on the Gold Coast is an important local employer, supporting about 800 operational jobs with this next stage to Burleigh expected to support more than 760 jobs.
“This next stage is vital to not only creating more jobs, but also connecting the southern Gold Coast to the rest of the line and getting more people onto public transport into the future,” the Premier said.
The Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A will extend the light rail from Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads and it is going to be a “game changer” for both jobs and infrastructure on the Gold Coast.
“More than 700 jobs will be supported during construction and hundreds more local jobs will be created once this next stage is up and running.
“By extending the existing light rail system from Broadbeach South Station to Burleigh Heads it also means cars coming off the road along the southern Gold Coast,” Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said.
Residents on the Gold Coast can look forward to more world-class transport infrastructure get underway as the State Government continues to invest on these projects.
“We made a commitment to keep light rail moving on the Gold Coast and that’s what we’re doing.
“We’re also continuing on with two major Gold Coast M1 upgrades between Mudgeeraba and Tugun, which are providing an important pipeline of local jobs too,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said.
According to Member for McPherson Karen Andrews, progressing works on this project and on the M1 upgrade will provide a significant boost in jobs in the Gold Coast.
“Many sectors on the Gold Coast have been heavily impacted by the coronavirus, so it’s great timing to get this infrastructure built and create much-needed jobs.
“When we begin to recover, work will be well-underway on this congestion-busting infrastructure – making our city more connected and an even better place to live,” Mrs Andrews said.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has been preparing the Broadbeach work site to prepare it to be utilised as a construction compound by the successful contractor.
“By getting started now, we’re paving the way for major works to start on the next stage as soon as possible once the construction contract is awarded.
“We appreciate this is a difficult time for our community but want to reassure people that TMR workers and all contractors engaged in light rail early works are required to provide a COVID-19 plan,” State Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said.
The COVID-19 plans will include social distancing and other protective measures to cover workers as well as safeguards for the local community.
The light rail extension is set to improve the city’s accessibility and, in turn, will improve access to jobs and services within the Gold Coast region.
“With the ability to travel between Broadbeach South Station and Burleigh Heads in 16-17 minutes, alongside improved pedestrian and cycling facilities, this will make getting around the Gold Coast easier for everybody, especially for those who don’t drive,” Federal Member for Moncrieff Angie Bell said.
In addition to works at the Broadbeach project site, works to demolish the Caltex service station on the Gold Coast Highway at Burleigh Heads is expected to begin in mid-2020.
Other works already underway along the Gold Coast Highway include borehole testing and site investigations – all being done at night when there is low traffic movement.
GoldlinQ will continue managing the tender process to find a construction partner for the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A project and a successful tenderer is anticipated to be announced towards the end of 2020.
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Source: Queensland Government; Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure; Department of Transport and Main Roads; myGC.com.au