Trams are running but the Gold Coast's light rail fight is not over

The Gold Coast's new light rail Stage 3 has officially begun carrying passengers, marking the completion of a $1.55 billion, four-year construction project. This latest extension connects the busy Broadbeach shopping precinct with the popular beaches of Burleigh Heads, aiming to ease transportation challenges in a rapidly growing city. The state government anticipates the network will serve approximately two million passengers monthly.

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Light rail has a dedicated right of way; you get the reliability in terms of timing and scheduling. It's not cheap but it's certainly been well worth it.

However, the light rail project has been plagued by significant cost blowouts. The initial estimate for the 6.7km Stage 3 was $709 million, but the final cost ballooned to $1.55 billion. Urban planning experts attribute these overruns to the complex and costly necessity of upgrading decades-old underground infrastructure, including sewer and water systems. The discovery of aging, sometimes problematic, utilities like asbestos-cement water pipes added unexpected delays and expenses during construction.

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We've got no idea what's underground in our city and we've got no idea how long the stuff's been in there and when it's all going to break up.

The extensive construction period led to considerable disruption for many businesses situated along the route. Some business owners, like Jess Firkin, who relocated his vintage clothing shop, found the disruptions challenging. Firkin noted that while such events are difficult to control, proactive measures can help mitigate the impact. He emphasized the importance of business owners taking accountability and learning from such experiences.

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As much as it does suck for things to happen outside of your control, there are always actions you can take to help rectify those situations.

Despite the difficulties, the light rail is seen as a crucial component in managing the Gold Coast's population growth and improving public transport reliability. Urban planning consultant Ned Wales highlighted the benefits of a dedicated right-of-way for light rail, ensuring predictable timing and scheduling. While acknowledging the high cost, he stated that the investment has been worthwhile for the city's long-term development and sustainability.

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I would really like it to end on a positive note and really emphasise that business owners need to take accountability and that's my biggest lesson.