Stage two Gold Coast light rail project gets federal funding
Rail News
Expansion of the Gold Coast Light Rail project helps project delivery in time for the 2018 Commonwealth Games
The Gold Coast Light Rail expansion was boosted by the Federal Government which announced a $95 million funding to help the project. The funding only covers a part of the project's total estimated costs of $700 million. Another $55 million were committed by the Gold Coast City Council, as development of public transport infrastructure is considered to be a top priority for Australia's cities.
The project will generate over 1000 jobs in the construction phase and shall be ready by the Commonwealth Games of 2018.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the project's funding, adding that it is “a vital piece of infrastructure for Queensland”:
"It is limited to that amount - and no more, to support the completion of this last stage to Helensvale.
"It is very much a Queensland project so the construction risk is obviously with Queensland - that's why the grant is capped.”
The extension will have a length of 7.3 kilometer and will cover the area between the Gold Coast University Hospital and the Helensvale train station.
Premier Annastacia Palasczcuk welcomed the federal decision: "This 7.3 kilometer extension - the stage two of the light rail - is vital for the Commonwealth Games. Now with the Federal Government coming on board we now know the business case will be finalized by December 23 and it also means then that construction can start in April next year."
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull adds:
"Our cities are the crucibles of innovation, of enterprise - it's where so much of GDP is created and it's vital that they have the right infrastructure, whether it is telecommunications infrastructure or transport infrastructure like this.
"In the future we want to look at more innovative approaches.
"We want to look at arrangements where we can partner."
The winning contractor will be announced early next year, as three firms have been shortlisted to execute the rail line's extension.
The Gold Coast Light Rail expansion was boosted by the Federal Government which announced a $95 million funding to help the project. The funding only covers a part of the project's total estimated costs of $700 million. Another $55 million were committed by the Gold Coast City Council, as development of public transport infrastructure is considered to be a top priority for Australia's cities.
The project will generate over 1000 jobs in the construction phase and shall be ready by the Commonwealth Games of 2018.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the project's funding, adding that it is “a vital piece of infrastructure for Queensland”:
"It is limited to that amount - and no more, to support the completion of this last stage to Helensvale.
"It is very much a Queensland project so the construction risk is obviously with Queensland - that's why the grant is capped.”
The extension will have a length of 7.3 kilometer and will cover the area between the Gold Coast University Hospital and the Helensvale train station.
Premier Annastacia Palasczcuk welcomed the federal decision: "This 7.3 kilometer extension - the stage two of the light rail - is vital for the Commonwealth Games. Now with the Federal Government coming on board we now know the business case will be finalized by December 23 and it also means then that construction can start in April next year."
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull adds:
"Our cities are the crucibles of innovation, of enterprise - it's where so much of GDP is created and it's vital that they have the right infrastructure, whether it is telecommunications infrastructure or transport infrastructure like this.
"In the future we want to look at more innovative approaches.
"We want to look at arrangements where we can partner."
The winning contractor will be announced early next year, as three firms have been shortlisted to execute the rail line's extension.
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