Plans to extend the Gold Coast’s light rail south to Coolangatta have been cancelled, with the Queensland Government citing cost blowouts, construction challenges, and strong community opposition.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said a recent review showed Stage 4: a 13-kilometre link from Burleigh Heads to the Gold Coast Airport, could cost between $5.7 billion and $9.8 billion, well above earlier estimates. He said the government would instead pursue a rapid bus-based transport corridor to serve the southern suburbs.
The decision has divided opinion. Supporters of the cancellation say the project would have damaged the environment and placed too much financial strain on ratepayers. Critics, including the Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce, argue the move is “short-sighted” and a missed opportunity to prepare the city for population growth and the 2032 Olympic Games.
The South-East Queensland Transit Association (SEQTA) is among those urging a rethink. The group says light rail has proven successful on the Gold Coast since opening in 2014, with over 100 million trips taken so far. SEQTA argues Stage 4 is vital for airport access and reducing congestion, describing the cancellation as “a step in the wrong direction.”
The government has confirmed construction on Stage 3, from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads, remains on track and is expected to open by mid-2026.
Image Sources
- All Images: Imogen Buckley (@immyonboard on Discord & Instagram)