WELCOME TO HELENSVALE
THE Gold Coast trams completed their first full journey yesterday in a landmark day for the city. The 20km trek from Broadbeach to Helensvale, connecting stage one and two, took 47 minutes. Passengers will be able to take the ride from the first week of J
● September 1997: A light rail is mentioned in the Gold Coast City Council’s 30-year Integrated Regional Transport plan
1998: Gold Coast City Council’s Line Haul feasibility study concludes light rail transit is best solution.
● Mayor Gary Baildon met with Prime Minister John Howard in Canberra to secure funding.
Early 2004: Gold Coast light rail feasibility study recommends light rail from Parkwood to Broadbeach.
July 2004: Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke proposed abandoning light rail in favour of “people pods”.
2005: TransLink draft network plan plus feasibility done to see if Bus Rapid Transit could do the job.
2006: South East Infrastructure Plan and Program commits $550 million for a project between Helensvale and Coolangatta.
2006: Gold Coast Rapid Transit conducts detailed consultation about both modes. Buses do not get over the line.
2006 Gold Coast Rapid Transit project office established in Southport.
2006-08: Gold Coast Rapid Transit conducts community engagement and planning work on several stages of light rail.
2008: Council puts forward a resolution to support the 13km route and light rail mode and commits to extension to Helensvale and Burleigh.
Early 2009: Lobbying ramps up, for stage 1 and future stages.
May 2009: $365 million Federal Government commitment for stage 1.
June 2009: $465 million State Government commitment for stage 1.
December 2009: Gold Coast City Council announces plans for southern link to run from Broadbeach to central Burleigh.
2009: Procurement for contractor begins and 2600 jobs created.
Early 2010: Early works start on stage 1.
May 2011: Developer and operator GoldLinQ appointed for stage 1
July 2011: Major milestone reached as outer shell of first light rail station at Gold Coast University Hospital completed
Mid 2013-early 2014: Push for commitment on stage 2 intensifies from business and community groups
● September 2013: Trams arrive from Germany.
January 2014: First collision between a tram and car
July 2014: Light rail launched July 20. Premier Campbell Newman says the extension would be “great”, but cautions