Gold Coast mayor floats hydrogen-powered trams as alternative to electric light rail

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate wants the Queensland government to explore the feasibility of hydrogen-powered trams with plans for stage 4 of the city's light rail still up in the air.

The Gold Coast's existing electric light rail system runs from Helensvale to Broadbeach South.

Stage 3 of the project, which extends the system south to Burleigh Heads, has been under construction since 2022 and is not due to be completed until next year.

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Businesses say they have been crippled by the construction, with road closures and fenced-off construction sites directly outside their premises.

Stage 4 of the project would extend the light rail south to Coolangatta, including a stop at Gold Coast Airport.

Public consultation for the final stage closed earlier this year and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning is currently undertaking a review of the planning to date.

The mayor is now writing to Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie about the viability of hydrogen trams for the final stage, with potential benefits including reduced construction timelines and environmental advantages.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.