Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4, Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta, planning
The Gold Coast Light Rail is a world class public transport system for residents and visitors to the Gold Coast. The system is being delivered in stages to manage the demands of a growing population and reduce traffic congestion, especially in the southern areas of the Gold Coast.
On 1 September 2025, planning on an extension of the Gold Coast Light Rail system from Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta, via the Gold Coast Airport, was stopped following a review by the Queensland Government. There will be no further planning for Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 at this time.
The Queensland Government will focus on delivering direct bus service enhancements with minor infrastructure upgrades in this southern section of the Gold Coast prior to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and will conduct a broader regional transport study to meet the community's long-term needs.
We will undertake this Gold Coast regional transport planning exercise and ongoing community consultation. This study will explore broader regional transport needs, including public transport modes, routes, east-west linkages, the opportunity for further inter-modal interchanges, and Gold Coast Airport connectivity and other connectivity requirements, to ensure the southern Gold Coast is well-prepared for future growth.
Review and consultation
The Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDIP) undertook a review of all Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 (GCLR4) preliminary planning as part of a Queensland Government election commitment. This review included a round of public consultation from 21 March to 2 May 2025. The review concluded with a Queensland Government announcement on 1 September 2025 that Stage 4 light rail planning would stop.
Funding
The project was jointly funded by the Queensland Government and Gold Coast City Council.
Investment ID: 1748742
- Total investment
- $30 million
- Queensland Government
- $15 million
- Local government
- $15 million
Current status
Work on the detailed business case has stopped.
The preliminary evaluation for Light Rail Stage 4 was completed in June 2023.
View the summary report – Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta Public Transport Project, Preliminary Evaluation. For alternative accessible formats, email [email protected].
Past consultation
GCLR4 planning review
Community consultation was conducted by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning from 21 March to 2 May 2025 to inform the review of project planning to date.
GCLR4 preliminary planning
Community consultation was conducted during 2020, 2021 and 2022 to inform the project’s preliminary evaluation.
