A new spur line is proposed to offer direct access to Harbour Town at Biggera Waters, a significant retail hub that attracts over 10 million visitors each year, a considerable portion of which are tourists. This line is also set to serve the upcoming Harbour Shores development, which will consist of 6,000 residences.
The light rail connection to Harbour Town was initially considered during the planning phase for Stage 2 of the project and has recently been revisited, as noted by Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek. According to Langbroek, Minister Sam O’Connor has been a strong advocate for this project, and Premier David Crisafulli has identified it as a priority, although no definitive decision has been made yet.
Despite its potential benefits, the proposal is not without challenges and is likely still years away from becoming a reality. A review highlighted the limited capacity within the rail construction sector to undertake such a project in the near future. Greg Day, the centre manager for Harbour Town, expressed optimism about the spur line, indicating it would greatly benefit the growing population in that region of the North Gold Coast.
Moreover, the review called for a comprehensive regional transport planning initiative to explore various transport solutions for Gold Coast residents. Any implementation of the recommendations is expected to take place after the 2032 Olympics.