Some good news for Gold Coasters this morning, with revelations that work has begun to prepare for construction of the next stage of the Light Rail.

Fences have gone up near the light rail stops at Broadbeach to create a construction compound for the $709 million project to extend the light rail from Broadbeach to Burleigh.

Other early light rail works already occurring along the Gold Coast Highway include borehole testing and site investigations, which are being done at night when less cars are on the road.

The next step is the demolition of the Caltex service station on the Gold Coast Highway at Burleigh Heads, which is expected in the next few months.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the State Government would continue delivering major projects and supporting jobs during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re supporting jobs where we can and we’re continuing our track record of delivering infrastructure for the Gold Coast community,” the Premier said.

The next stage of project is expected to create more than 760 local jobs.

“Light rail on the Gold Coast is an important local employer, supporting about 800 operational jobs with this next stage to Burleigh expected to support more than 760 jobs.

“This next stage is vital to not only creating more jobs, but also connecting the southern Gold Coast to the rest of the line and getting more people onto public transport into the future.”

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said Stage 3A would be a game changer for not only jobs, but infrastructure on the Gold Coast.

“More than 700 jobs will be supported during construction and hundreds more local jobs will be created once this next stage is up and running,” Mr Tudge said.

“By extending the existing light rail system from Broadbeach South Station to Burleigh Heads it also means cars coming off the road along the southern Gold Coast.”