There are fresh concerns over the future of Light Rail Stage 4, with Tuesday’s state budget containing no money to complete a business case for the project.
Mayor Tom Tate had written to the state government pleading with it to help fund the business case, but that has fallen on deaf ears.
It comes amid an ongoing review of the proposed route to the airport.
Council has urged the state to come clean on its plans, saying the extension has been left in limbo.
“If there’s no definite funding in this year’s State Budget to progress the project, then what is the State Government’s plan?” Acting Mayor Mark Hammel said.
“How do they intend to ease traffic congestion and deliver the integrated public transport network our growing city urgently needs — and rightfully deserves?
“I call on the State Government to release the findings of the LNP’s review into Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4.”
“To use the Premier’s own words, ‘doing nothing about public transport on the Gold Coast is not an option’. So, if there’s nothing definite in this year’s budget, what is his plan?”
The budget has also revealed another blowout in the cost of Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector, which is now expected to cost $3.5 billion, with half of the cost being funded by the federal government.
The state has allocated $610 million for works in the 2025-26 financial year.
Generous energy rebates are gone, but parents with primary school-aged kids will receive a $100 “Back to School” payment.
“This is a new initiative that will support families with the cost of excursions, school books, uniforms, whatever they need to give their kids the best start to the school year,” Treasurer David Janetski said.
The state budget shows a sea of red for several more years, with the deficit to hit $8.5 billion next financial year, falling to $1.08 billion in 2028-29.
Queensland’s debt is expected to reach $190 billion in 2027-28, before surpassing $205 billion in 2028-29, which is lower than the $217 billion forecast in the mid-year budget update in January.
Despite the budget pressures, the Treasurer has unveiled massive spending on health, housing and law and order.
More than $3.6 billion will be spent on health infrastructure, including the new Coomera Hospital.
The government’s focus on law and order will see $277 million spent on new and upgraded Police facilities, including a new Police beat in Burleigh Heads.
Another $1 million has been allocated to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour in the suburb.
“Burleigh locals love our relaxed coastal lifestyle, but that’s been put under siege by terrible anti-social behaviour enabled by the former Labor government,” Burleigh MP Hermann Vorster said.
“This budget is about restoring safety where we live and delivering our Police beat, just as we said, is central to that.”
The budget contains $5.6 billion for new social and community housing, while the first home owners grant has been doubled to $30,000.
The government also unveiled today a Boost to Buy Scheme, which would see the state own a stake of up to 30 per cent of a property.
Treasurer David Janetski says they’ve begun the hard work of fixing the budget, while also providing for Queenslanders.
“We know this is the start of a long journey, and it will take more than one Budget – and one term – to turn around. This Budget marks an important first step.”
Other state budget measures for the Gold Coast:
- $14 million to build the new Southport East Ambulance Station.
- $500,000 towards building a new Labrador Men’s Shed.
- $1.5 million to increase the height of the Austinville Causeway to improve flood immunity on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road.
- Commencing planning work on the duplication of the Jabiru Island Bridge.
- $850,000 to support the relocation of the Gold Coast Lapidary Club.
- $240,000 for the Varsity Lakes Community Resource Centre to deliver the Support Beyond Barriers program.
- New pool at Mudgeeraba Aquatic Centre – $3 million to construct a new accessible, energy-efficient 25m heated outdoor pool.
- $1.2 million to deliver the Hope Harbour Marina Precinct refurbishment.
- $1 million towards a new Oxenford Men’s Shed
- New special school in Coomera to relieve local special schools, as part of an $815 million new schools commitment.
- $10 million for the Marine Hospital at Sea World on the Gold Coast to support Queensland’s precious wildlife.
- $300,000 to Baby Give Back to supercharge their outreach on the Southern Gold Coast to provide donated basics to vulnerable babies and children.
- Coomera Rivers State School – $450,000 to fund oval seating and shade sail upgrades.
- Tallebudgera State School – new car park
- Helensvale State School – new outdoor learning area
- Park Lake State School – air-conditioning to the hall
- Upper Coomera State College – enhancements to STEM and sporting facilities
- Magic United Football Club – $480,000 towards delivering female change rooms.
- University of the Third Age (U3A) Southport – $2 million towards a new home for U3A Southport to expand activities to support more seniors.
- Nerang Workplace Chaplain – $20,000 for a new all-terrain vehicle
- $2 million for the Gold Coast Community Legal Centre to construct a new facility with larger and more accessible office space in Southport.
- Nerang Neighbourhood Centre – $400,000 for an additional youth support worker to provide a variety of supports to at-risk young people and their families.
- $800,000 to My Community Legal to deliver legal assistance to the southern Gold Coast community, with a priority on domestic violence support.
- $500,000 to upgrade the Gold Coast City Council’s Safe City closed-circuit television network
