News by Andrew Potts
Premium Content  THE ballooning cost of the Gold Coast light rail system has sparked fears future stages and major infrastructure projects will be rendered unaffordable. The stalled 6.7km Broadbeach to Burleigh tram extension was put back on track after the federal government intervened with a $126 million lifeline last week, but the project will now cost more than $1 billion to deliver, with the state also chipping in more than $200 million. With stage 3 now set to cost more than $150 million a kilometre, both supporters and critics of the system say they are concerned about the spiking costs. Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 is back on track.
WEATHER REPORT AND TIDES It ll be a partly cloudy Friday on the Coast but the weather bureau says there s a zero per cent chance of rain for the region. Maximum temperatures will be slightly higher today, with Maleny expected to reach a top of 23C, Caloundra on 25C and Maroochydore, Noosa Heads and Nambour on 26C. High tide was at 5.18am at 1.67m and low tide will be at 11.46am at 0.47m. The next high tide will reach 1.54m at 5.55pm and low tide is scheduled for 11.53pm at 0.61m.
TRAFFIC
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Subscriber only Preparations are being made for the final works on a $662.5 million upgrade to one of the busiest stretches of the Bruce Highway in Queensland. Department of Transport and Main Roads awarded the second and final contract for the upgrade between Caboolture-Bribie Island Road and Steve Irwin Way at Exit 163 to Fulton Hogan. It involves widening the 11km section of the highway from four to six lanes and replacing 10 bridges. The second and final stage of the project involves the section from Pumicestone Road to Steve Irwin Way and is expected to be completed by early 2023. Transport Minister Mark Bailey said it was one of five highway upgrades with a combined value of more than $3 billion between Brisbane and Gympie.
Final contract locked in for Coast s $662 5m major highway upgrade sunshinecoastdaily.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sunshinecoastdaily.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A Tesla electric charging station(Nine)
Older Australians who use their car less often would benefit most from the move.
Mr Weber also wants owners of electric cars to be rewarded as more get on the roads.
Other states have already implemented plans to tax low emission and hybrid vehicles almost three cents per kilometre to make for the loss in excise. Excise on fuel is about 12 billion dollars a year net; well put it another way, for every litre of petrol you buy, you re paying 43 cents in excise that is going to evaporate over time, Mr Weber said.
Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey.(Nine)