Client story

Moving a rail project in the right direction

Our client wanted to understand the real estate opportunities linked to Gold Coast Light Rail

Our study provided a detailed explanation of the factors that could affect future land use

Gold Coast Light Rail, also known as G:Link, is one of the largest public transport projects ever undertaken on Australia’s Gold Coast.

The light rail aims to keep the Gold Coast moving as it matures into one of the fastest-growing urban metropolises in the country.

We were asked by the City of Gold Coast to provide real estate-focused input into a business case for the third development phase of the light rail, including a detailed assessment of urban renewal opportunities along the new rail corridor.

We used a methodology tried, tested and endorsed by major industry and government bodies to fulfil this brief. The methodology incorporates JLL propriety analysis models and continues to be enhanced as we gather more complex sets of data and leverage evolving technology to draw valuable insights.

Leveraging mapping technology and Big Data analysis, we were able to provide detailed information about the historical take-up of land, apartments and housing within the Gold Coast as well as potential future take-up along the proposed route. This took into account developments both proposed and confirmed as well as their associated capacity and land-use constraints.

Our study also forecast demographic changes, as well as provided a detailed explanation of the factors that could affect future land use, with particular focus on the areas around the proposed new stations. This analysis was then benchmarked against similar precincts.

Our findings have been pivotal in refining the future of the rail corridor.

The detailed business case, including our real estate insights, is currently with the Federal Government for assessment having been endorsed by Building Queensland in December 2018.