TIMELINE: HOW GOLD COAST’S TRAMS HIT THE TRACK

● 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