Coast Inc: Speed up rapid rail plan
GOLD Coast leaders want rapid rail fasttracked to halve travel times to Brisbane.
But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is in no hurry to support the ambitious $70 billion vision.
Rapid trains capable of 250km/h and average speeds of 150km/h – almost three times faster than an existing 60km/h average – would slash Gold Coast-Brisbane trips to 35 minutes. The system, proposed in a report by infrastructure consultants SMEC, was commissioned by the Southeast Queensland Council of Mayors.
It was for a feasibility study into a potential regional Olympics bid.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said rapid rail would “nicely link” the cities as a major economic zone, resolve M1 congestion and was “green”.
“It’s going to be the best piece of infrastructure Australian money can buy,” he said. “We need to get on with it, plan and start funding aside.
“The economic department of State Government should get all workings from the Council of Mayors and since we have political will, see if we can get financial support.”
Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista said it was visionary and “couldn’t be implemented faster”.
“The M1 has created numerous challenges for the drive market. Brisbane remains a vital corridor for supplying the Gold Coast putting with a steady stream of visitors including the drive market, day-trippers, and vast numbers of travellers after touching down in Brisbane.
“The destination’s tourism appeal will continue to benefit if supported by a more robust network. Now is the time to capitalise on increasing greater access to the region.”
Despite forecasts the region’s population will soar from 3.5 million to 5.5 million by 2043, Ms Palaszczuk said the population density now too low for rapid rail.
Gold Coast Federal MP Steven Ciobo said: “We need to plan for future growth and it means taking decisions now rather than playing catch up. This report, commissioned by other councils – not Gold Coast City Council – is one I’m sure will be looked at.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he loved the vision but more was needed on financials and engineering before Canberra would back it. was