The $949 million Gold Coast Rapid Transit project has reached the next milestone with bid documents to operate the light rail system received from the three shortlisted contenders.

A total of 150 boxes of proposals have been delivered by GC Connect, GoldlinQ and MoveGC, representing six months of preparation since the final shortlist was announced in May.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan, inspecting progress of the light rail project near Griffith University today, said the winner would be announced in March 2011.

“The world’s best have responded to the challenge of delivering the first light rail system in Queensland,’’ she said.

“Our project team has a big task ahead of it but they’ve rolled up their sleeves and are now pouring over the 900 folders as part of the proposals.

"This is the Gold Coast’s biggest public transport project and when complete in 2014, thousands of uni students and people visiting Southport, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and the Southport medical precinct will enjoy fast, seamless access without the headache of having to drive and park.”

The financing, supply of vehicles, and the infrastructure associated with the light rail system also make up the contract.

Ms Nolan said decking units on the main Gold Coast University station shell had already been installed.

“Today we see the walls and roof beginning to take shape,” she said.

“Four Olympic size swimming pools or 9500 cubic metres of rubble has been removed and 390 piles constructed as part of early works on the station hall and western approach,” he said.

“In the next five years this will be a busy station catering to 7000 passengers a day at the heart of the first 13-kilometre stretch of the light rail project.”

Ms Nolan toured the 13-kilometre Stage One corridor inspecting work in the Gold Coast Hospital precinct and along the Gold Coast Highway in Broadbeach where 600 metres of concrete median has been removed and asphalting is set to begin.

The work is part of an early works packages to move water, gas, telecommunications and electricity services, widen and level roads, upgrade intersections and restore kerbs, paths, driveways and fences.

PTO.

A total of 6300 direct and indirect jobs will be generated as part of Stage One of the Gold Coast light rail project. Of these 1000 direct and indirect jobs will be created by the three early works packages valued at around $145 million.

The three final contenders for the Operator Franchise PPP are:

GC Connect

GC Connect is made up of MTR Corporation, John Holland Pty Ltd,

ITOCHU Corporation and RBS Group (Australia) Pty. MTR Corporation is a world leader in providing public transport solutions in highly urbanised and variable environments, and in operating and maintaining these systems.

GoldlinQ

GoldlinQ is an operator led consortium that will provide a customer focused integrated light rail system for the Gold Coast. GoldLinQ members Keolis SA, Bombardier Transportation Australia Pty Ltd, McConnell Dowell Constructors Pty Ltd and Plenary Group Pty Ltd operate some of the world’s largest and most complex transport networks and manufacture state of the art vehicle and rail systems.

Move GC

Move GC members Veolia, Leighton Contractors, Alstom and Macquarie bring together leaders in their fields of design, construction, funding and operating and maintaining public transport systems. The consortium will work with the Gold Coast community to deliver the GCRT project.

Media contact: Chris Ward 0418 424 654