Not sure if there was a thread already so i thought I would start one, albeit with some uninspiring news:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/16/2743651.htm

Rapid transit delays spark job fears

By Charmaine Kane


A Gold Coast business leader says delays in getting the rapid transit project off the ground are jeopardising jobs in the city.

The regional chairman of the Property Council says the light rail initiative has missed key dates set by Premier Anna Bligh and the Gold Coast rapid transit team.

Peter Trathen says an early works program flagged by the Queensland Government to pave the way for the project has not materialised.

"The consortia that have been pulling together and have expressed interest in pursuing this project from my understanding are as keen as mustard," he said.

"My concern is more what do the delays do to the early works delivery which we need rapidly and we don't want to push the delivery of this project out beyond where it has been targeted."

He says the coast cannot afford for the delays to continue.

"We need this project to get up and running, that's not just because it is important infrastructure for the coast but probably the urgency is we need the stimulus of the early works package," he said.

"We need it now, we don't need it in a month's time.

"There are people who need those jobs now on the Gold Coast."

Bloody Bligh government couldn't organize a root in a brothel with a fist full of $50's:ohno:

or a piss up in a brewery :)

Hardly surprising, check back in 2015, they might have formed a committee to discuss having a meeting to think about whether to move forward or not.

Gold Coast PT Infrastructure is an embarrassment.

The amount of it is. However the quality of what you do have is pretty darn good (Train Line really)

ive using the bus service over past week up gc hwy. Very impresed with speed and cost i noticed trafic lights stay red way too long at gc!:(

Up the Gold Coast Highway and through Southport they're fine. Its when you start going to into the suburbs (even those which are still reasonably central).

What happened to the old GCLR thread that was here? i can't believe that this is the only thread here! for such a massive project! :|

Latest News: (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/plans-on-track-for-gold-coast-light-rail-20100703-zunr.html)

Plans on track for Gold Coast light rail
July 3, 2010
The first contract for a billion-dollar light rail system on Queensland's Gold Coast has been awarded.

Leighton Contractors will build the Gold Coast University Hospital Station Shell and carry out associated roadworks in Southport, worth approximately $33 million.

This first major package includes construction of the floor, roof and walls that will support the future light-rail station structure, Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said in a statement.

Stage one of the Gold Coast Rapid Transit system, from Griffith University to Broadbeach via Southport and Surfers Paradise, is due to begin operation in 2014.

The Gold Coast Rapid Transit project has secured funding commitments totalling $949 million from federal, state and local government for stage one, which will include 16 stations.

Potential future stages could see the light rail system extended as far as Coolangatta, on the NSW border.

–AAP

Surfers:

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Southport:
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about time!

such a great project, will do wonders for the Gold Coast..

What happened to the old GCLR thread that was here? i can't believe that this is the only thread here! for such a massive project! :|I think most people just go to the thread in the Transportation section - it has 412 replies. (linkity link (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=535403&page=20))

It's about time Gold Coast had some decent rail service of some sort, the bus service that currently runs is hardly ideal and the current train line runs nowhere near the heart of the city (if you can call Surfers Paradise that).

Work to begin this month. :)

From The Gold Coast Bulletin (goldcoastbulletin.com.au)

Light rail work starts this month
| July 4th, 2010

CONSTRUCTION on the first major piece of infrastructure for the rapid transit system gets under way this month.

The early works construction contract on the $33 million Gold Coast University Hospital station shell in Parklands Drive was awarded to Leighton Contractors.

Construction of the structure's floor, roof and walls should be completed by September 2011.

Rapid transit system business advisory member Bob Janssen said it was important for local work to be generated out of the project.

"We've made it as attractive as possible for the big boys (Leighton) to use locals," he said. "We would prefer them to use Gold Coast subcontractors."

Meanwhile, the three consortiums vying for the chance to build the light rail -- GC Connect, GoldlinQ and Move GC -- are set to enter a more detailed bid phase later this year