GC Light Rail – From Nowhere to Somewhere?
ADC is in full support of the State and Federal Governments supplying the necessary funding to ensure that stage 2 of the Gold Coast Light Rail is finally connected to somewhere (I.e. The heavy rail enabling connectivity to Brisbane and International & Domestic Airports).
For ADC’s previous commentary on the GC Light Rail follow the links below;
https://www.adcqld.com.au/light-rail-from-nowhere-to-nowhere/
https://www.adcqld.com.au/gc-light-rail-still-from-nowhere-to-nowhere/
Gold Coast light rail stage 2 to get go-ahead with tenders to open for tram-to-train link
It’s all aboard for Light Rail Stage 2 with tenders opening for construction of the tram-to-train link to allow it to be online for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The Bulletin can exclusively reveal the Palaszczuk Government is pressing forward with the project and will today call for consortiums to build the 7.3km missing link from Griffith University to Helensvale and have it operational by late 2017 or early 2018.
While no formal agreement has been reached with the Turnbull Government for funding, talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss have gone so well the state is confident enough to push forward with the project that will create more than 1000 jobs.
The Bulletin can reveal tram operator GoldLinQ’s board met last night and will finalise the expressions of internet process and push ahead with calling tenders, which will run for 12 weeks and close in December.
RAIL FUNDS COULD BE USED BY COAST
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad, taking a break yesterday from a Gold Coast Holiday, said there was a genuine willingness to get on with the project.
The Transport Minister, who has been leading negotiations for the tram extension, said the Government was seeking, “innovative and competitively priced bids” and an assurance it would be completed before the 2018 games.
“We are really heartened by the constructive and positive discussions with the new Turnbull Government and based on this we can go to the request for tender process,” she said.
“There is no doubt the community is behind this, the Bulletin has been behind this and the business community has been in my ear since day one to build it.
“We have a sympathetic ear at a federal level now and there has been a significant shift since the leadership change.”
Tenders will be assessed over Christmas, with the winner announced in early 2016 before construction begins.
While no champagne corks have been popped just yet, local MPs say they are feeling optimistic it is just a matter of time before Canberra signs off.
Moncrieff MP Steven Ciobo told the Bulletin all signs were positive.
“I am pleased the discussions remain really positive and this is a project that, following the change in prime minister, no longer had as many federal hurdles to clear,” he said.
“I look forward to a positive announcement”.
Fadden MP Stuart Robert said the State Government’s faith in pushing ahead with the rail project was “well founded”.
And in a remarkable turnaround from comments last week, Mr Truss said he was pleased to receive the business case for the rail and that a positive outcome could soon be reached.
“Since receiving the business case we have been in a position to explore the opportunities and discuss the options with the Queensland Government,” Mr Truss said.
“I am confident that armed with the relevant information we can now move to reach a positive outcome quickly.”
The request for tender documentation will be released to successful short – listed proponents and the list of consortiums will be released publicly for probity reasons.
State funding will come from savings found in the existing budget by the Department of Transport & Main Roads.
Source: Andrew Potts, Gold Coast Bulletin, 1st October 2015, http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/game-changer/gold-coast-light-rail-stage-2-to-get-go-ahead-with-tenders-to-open-for-tram-to-train-link/story-fnvizjmv-1227551373338
