The project is the largest public transport project undertaken on the Gold Coast
Corrs Chambers Westgarth has helped the Queensland government reach financial close on the third stage of the $1.2bn Gold Coast Light Rail project.
This stage involved a 6.7km southern extension of the line from Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads and included the construction of eight new stations and the purchase of additional light rail vehicles. Construction of Stage 3 will begin in the coming weeks and is expected to be completed by mid-2025.
“This stage of the project is expected to directly support 760 jobs while also improving the speed, reliability and service frequency of the light rail system, and helping to further bust local congestion,” Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said.
The Gold Coast Light Rail project is said to be the largest public transport project undertaken on the Gold Coast to date, and Queensland's first light rail network. The total investment of $1.2bn was $500m more than initially expected.
Financial close was achieved on 30 March.
Partner Melanie Bond and consultant Peter Schenk led the Corrs team on the transaction, with assistance from special counsel John Broadhead and senior associate Twina Au Yeung. Also included in the team were partners Daryl Clifford, Airlie Fox, Paul Brickley, Felicity Saxon, Anna White and Nick Le Mare.
“As a firm, we are very proud to have supported the Queensland Government on the GCLR project,” Bond said. “This critical infrastructure will support the growth of the Gold Coast population and economy for decades to come.”
Meanwhile, Allens advised GoldlinQ on the transaction. Partner Nicholas Ng led the team, and was joined by partners Emma Warren and Paul Telford; senior associates Tim Leschke and Clara O'Loghlin; and associates Stephanie Tang and Jane Evelyn.
