Very Fast Train a hit with GC mayor

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate believes a proposed high-speed rail network linking southeast Queensland is an idea worth investigating.

Queensland's Liberal National Party opposition has promised a $2.5 million feasibility study for a Very Fast Train network if elected to government.

Under the proposal, travel from the Gold and Sunshine Coasts to Brisbane would only take 30 minutes, allowing people to live in the regions while still working closer to the state capital.

Mr Tate said the proposed travel time would be a congestion-buster as well.

"We dream big and we dream fast ... imagine 30 minutes and you can travel between the two cities? It will help alleviate the M1 problem," Mr Tate said on Tuesday.

The Queensland government has criticised Mr Nicholls' proposal, arguing it would come at the expense of the established Cross River Rail project and cost too much.