Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 will deliver a 13 kilometre extension south of Light Rail Stage 3, linking Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta, via the Gold Coast Airport. It will provide 14 stations between Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta as identified through the Burleigh Heads to Tugun and Tugun to Coolangatta Multi-modal Corridor Studies.

This future southern extension of the light rail will service important cultural and urban attractions including the Burleigh Heads Village Centre, Palm Beach Village Centre, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Tugun Village Centre, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast Airport and Coolangatta shopping and business precinct. It also provides the opportunity for a future light rail extension into Tweed Heads, subject to Transport for NSW planning priorities.

Burleigh Heads to Tugun

The Gold Coast Highway (Burleigh Heads to Tugun) Multi-modal Corridor Study was completed in 2020. The aim of the study was to review all previous planning and develop an updated transport strategy for this corridor that considered all modes of transport including walking, cycling, public transport and private vehicles. The study identified that the Gold Coast Highway route from Burleigh Heads to Tugun has the greatest potential for a shift to public transport as it is close to where people already live and provides the opportunity to transform the Gold Coast Highway into a high amenity community boulevard through careful design and treatment. The study investigated alternative routes finding a light rail extension down the Gold Coast Highway was the most direct and efficient route.

Tugun to Coolangatta

The Gold Coast Highway (Tugun to Coolangatta) Multi-modal Corridor Study was completed in June 2022. The study builds on the work completed for the Burleigh Heads to Tugun section and considered all transport modes to determine the preferred function for the next 20 years. The study investigated alternative routes, finding the preferred route for a light rail extension to the Gold Coast Airport is along the Gold Coast Highway. The preferred route into Coolangatta is via Coolangatta Road and the Lanham Street Park to a station on Chalk Street. This is the most direct and efficient route.

Community engagement

Community engagement on the preliminary business case took place to coincide with the completion of the corridor studies:

Community consultation on the Tugun to Coolangatta (via the airport) section was carried out from 31 October to 25 November 2022. The Tugun to Coolangatta community consultation report is now being prepared to inform the project’s Preliminary Business Case for mid-2023.

Further information is available on the project website at www.tmr.qld.gov.au/gclr4

The outcomes of the preliminary business case will be made available to the community once this stage of the project has been completed and we will continue to engage throughout all stages of the project.