Many Gold Coast residents and visitors would use a light rail system if it were available.

A publicly owned light rail network would enable the Gold Coast’s 493,475 residents to travel where they need to without the delay, cost and environmental impact of single occupancy vehicles.

The current Queensland Government-Gold Coast Council proposals for three light rail routes[1] and a heavy rail extension[2] do not span enough geographical area to aid the Gold Coast’s residents and will not be in place early enough. Gold Coast residents and visitors should not have to wait until 2015 (light rail) and 2026 (heavy rail) for better transport options.

The Greens want:

           A comprehensive, integrated public transport system, with critical components publicly owned and controlled;

           A transport system that is safe, environmentally sound, efficient and reliable

           Increased opportunities for the community to participate in transport planning

           A public transport system that is more attractive than private car use

           Public transport services to be provided under community service obligations where demand is too low for economically viable services

           More light and heavy rail services in towns and cities to reduce the need for private car ownership and use

           Better transport services in rural and regional areas

           Improved transport services for people with special needs

           Fair compensation paid to those adversely affected by transport infrastructure development

The Greens will:

If elected to the Senate, Greens Senate candidate Larissa Waters will push for federal funding for a Gold Coast light rail system to be constructed as soon as possible. 

The Greens proposed light rail network is made up of three routes (see map link above):

1.      Southport to Robina - Scarborough Street in Southport, along Ferry Road, Bundall Road, Bermuda Street, Bond University, Robina Town Centre and then Robina Railway Station.

2.      Coomera to Surfers Paradise – Surfers Paradise via Scarborough Street, following north along the Gold Coast Highway, and then either Bayview Street or Oxley Drive in Runaway Bay, linking the high growth areas of Hope Island, Oxenford, Upper Coomera and then Coomera Railway Station.

3.      Supplement the bus service between Broadbeach and Nerang Railway Station to assist with movement during Carrara Stadium events, especially if the Coast receives an AFL license.

The Greens proposal will link rapidly expanding suburbs including Hope Island, Bundall, Oxenford and Coomera to major central business district areas of Southport and Robina.  

This will allow residents and tourists to visit local attractions including Movie World, Wet N’Wild in Oxenford and Dreamworld in Coomera. 

Tertiary university students studying at Bond University, Southport and Ridgeway TAFEs and major secondary schools will be able to use the new light rail proposals.

The Greens will conduct community demand management studies to determine the hours of operation and service frequency.

The light rail stock could be powered by overhead cables or through the track. Tracks should be built on existing road lanes, to be T3 lanes when not in use by the light rail stock. Light rail should also receive priority at traffic lights.

In the future, The Greens light rail network could be further extended to:

          Growth areas including Pimpama, Ormeau, Yatala and possibly Beenleigh