G: link expansion a must for economy
THE Gold Coast’s light rail system will be the spine of the city’s diversified post-Commonwealth Games economy.
City leaders are looking to the tram system to attract business and act as a springboard for private and public development and infrastructure.
They say the city must now work towards fulfilling the council’s 2031 transport strategy to take light and heavy rail south to the border and Gold Coast Airport in a move which they say could help prevent a city brain drain.
GoldLinQ chairman John Witheriff said he was proud of how the system fared during the Games as it carried more than 100,000 people daily.
The long-time business figure said he hoped the high patronage would be the start of a shift in perception of public transport in the city and become a trend that would grow as the system added new links.
“The greatest takeaway from this was that we have now experienced the liveability of this city and it is assured for the future, provided we have a public transport system which is a reality and that people will use,” he said.
The light rail’s third stage is being assessed, with a report due back to the council in the near future.
Acting Mayor Donna Gates said the strength of tram patronage during the Commonwealth Games would boost the case for fast-tracking stage 3A to Burleigh.
“Clearly it is working and the public has embraced it so this has been an indicator to us that we should proceed as fast as possible to Burleigh,” she said. “There has been difficulty in retrofitting a linear city like this but obviously the tram is the answer so now it is a matter of getting all levels of government working together.
“Along the route we are going to see a transformative effect, given the State Government identified that 80 per cent of our new growth will be in consolidation areas rather than greenfield sites.”
Spinning off from the expanded public transport system are expected to be revamped roads, improved bus services and high-density development around the routes.
City leaders say the hispeed internet cable beneath the tram tracks will play a major role in diversifying the economy. Aside from fuelling the health and knowledge precinct, which will soon include the Games athletes village, they expect businesses to be attracted to the areas around the rail system, which will receive speeds significantly faster than the NBN.
“The Games have been the platform for the next phase of our city’s transformation and growth,” Cr Gates said.
“We have to make the most of the benefits and what they have delivered and this digital connection will continue with the future stages, providing better service than the NBN.
“The health and knowledge precinct will become one of the largest hubs of its kind in the Asia-Pacific area.’’