Information for businesses
Overview
We’re committed to working closely with local businesses to manage disruption during construction.
How are we supporting local businesses?
We’re committed to working closely with local business operators to manage disruption during construction.
We have a team and website dedicated to supporting business operators on the Stage 3 alignment. We understand the need for businesses to be informed so they can plan ahead for changes that may arise from nearby construction activity. Information may also be helpful for your family, customers and employees.
Businesses can get more information or support by:
Booking a meeting with our dedicated Business Engagement Advisor
Participating in our Love Your Local campaign to promote your business
Accessing expert digital marketing guidance and support from local Gold Coast digital marketing agency
Promoting your business through a live radio cross and social media story
Networking with other local businesses at dedicated events
Business operators can stay up to date on construction and traffic changes by:
1. Registering to receive electronic construction updates
2. Visiting our interactive construction map to see what current and upcoming works are taking place near your business.
What if my business is impacted by construction?
If your business may be directly affected by planned construction activities, we will let you know in advance, keep you informed and work with you to manage any impacts.
Our community team will regularly engage with you in person, by phone and email, and at regular information sessions. Contact us on 1800 312 600 or submit an enquiry to request a briefing.
We support local businesses by:
Providing a dedicated business engagement team and information phoneline
Providing practical, relevant and timely information on construction and traffic changes
Supporting initiatives that encourage increased foot traffic into construction areas
Promoting the Love Your Local campaign which encourages the community to support local businesses
Ensuring that locals and ‘regulars’ remain connected to their precincts and local businesses.
Click on each tab to find out more about each initiative.
What is Love Your Local?
The Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 (Stage 3) project team developed the Love Your Local campaign to encourage Gold Coast residents and visitors to shop locally during Stage 3 construction.
Since its launch, Love Your Local has supported businesses along the light rail alignment from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads, helping drive visitation and trade during key construction periods.
The campaign is now focused on supporting businesses in the Nobby Beach precinct, where construction impacts are expected to continue through to June 2026.
Radio promotion to encourage local visitation along the length of Stage 3 and engagement with business owners and operators will continue, including access management, clear signage, wayfinding, and targeted communication to support businesses during the final stages of construction.
How do I get involved?
Your business can play a key role in marketing and supporting the campaign and we encourage you to get on board as soon as you can. Head to the Business information resources tab for more information.
Local trader directory
The trader directory is live on the interactive map.
The directory is a digital version of a traditional booklet-style business directory. Using the Stage 3 interactive map, the directory features information about your business and can include promotions and deals you have on offer. It provides a direct link to your website and social media, further encouraging the community to shop local.
This directory is for businesses located along, or within a 300-metre radius, of the Gold Coast Highway, between Broadbeach South station and Burleigh Heads.
We want to promote your business and support our community to ‘love their local’. Please register for the directory by using the link below.
Activating spaces
Through our partnership with local radio stations, we will continue to focus on driving local visitation to impacted precincts between Nobby Beach and Burleigh Heads until June 2026 through live crosses. A live cross includes:
promotion of the business live on air
a visit to your business by the station's ‘Drive Crew’
a radio network vehicle positioned in front of your business (or as close as possible) to encourage people to stop
in some cases, a social media post uploaded to the station’s social media
If you would like a chance to promote your business on the radio, please contact our Business Engagement team via email at contact@gclr3.com.au
Events and local activities
Love Your Local is committed to supporting communities and small business along the stage 3 alignment.
We have proudly sponsored a range of events since 2024, including:
Nobby's Street Fiesta
Burleigh Winter Solstice
Burleigh bEATS Festival
SURFACE Festival
BLEACH* Arts Festival
Nobby Beach Street Fiesta, with vouchers to local businesses given away throughout the event.
Our commitment to business continues through our engagement and membership with the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce.
We’re proud to be a Platinum Plus Member of the Chamber. The Chamber strives to advocate and support the Gold Coast business community and facilitate economic growth across the region through various business-to-business activities.
We will continue to work with the chamber to support businesses along the alignment during the construction of Stage 3.
Business support services
The following business support services are available at low or no cost to Gold Coast businesses. More information on these services is available on each organisation’s website.
Advocacy and financial counselling services
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The Queensland Government Business Assist connects small and family business owners with the right information on programs and services to support their unique situation. Speak to the local representative servicing your region – they are ready to assist. |
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Advocacy & Assistance with business disputes |
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Free Impartial & Confidential Financial Counselling |
Business coaching and mentoring
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Through Small Business Coaching, our expert Business Mentors will help you achieve your business goals. Receive tailored support for up to 12 months, from your very own Business Mentor, who will have your back every step of the way. |
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Mentoring for Growth (M4G) offers eligible businesses free access to volunteer business experts who provide insights, options, and suggestions relating to challenges and opportunities you are experiencing in your business. The M4G program assists Queensland businesses to grow and succeed in the current business environment. The M4G program includes:
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Digital support
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Sands Media are a local digital and marketing specialist with close to 40 years combined experience in digital marketing, consulting and retail operations, the team are here to support you. Providing specialised services such as website audits to support businesses with Search Engine Optimisation and provide a good starting point for better understanding your digital presence. |
Employing staff and training
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From start-ups to multinationals, and apprentices to sole traders, we provide the training, advice and partnerships required to facilitate growth and project strength. Our courses and contextualised training solutions are spread across a diverse range of industries, skill sets, roles and specialisations. All training packages have been informed by experts and designed to deliver a return on your investment – whether that be time, money or manpower. |
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Digital technology touches every aspect of business, professional and personal lives. It has changed, and will continue to change, the way we work and live. For business to survive and thrive in this ever-changing digital landscape, it is vital to stay up-to-date. At Business Chamber Queensland we know business matters. And we know that that what matters to business is staying relevant through ongoing learning. Our Digital Skills Hub opens a world of possibilities by giving you free access to thousands of training courses – from the Basics to an Introduction to Digital Marketing to understanding SEO to Demystifying ChatGPT, and everything in between. |
Business wellness coaching and mental fitness
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Business Wellness Coaching offers free and confidential emotional coaching and wellbeing support. The Business Wellness Coaches can help with stress from many areas of your lives, such as stress from your business, or other challenges including personal, relationship or health issues. All the Business Wellness Coaches are qualified mental health and wellbeing professionals with a background in business. So you’re talking with someone who can help you ‘take the next right step’. |
Government support and grant finders
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Information, grants, services and support from across government to help your business succeed. |
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Information on Tax obligations and Reporting. Also great resource for Small Business and key topics and information to support small business. National Tax Clinic ProgramThe National Tax Clinic program is a government-funded initiative to help people who may not be able to afford professional advice and representation with their tax affairs. This program is available to eligible individuals, small businesses, not-for-profit organisations and charities |
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Small Business Hotline
Phone the Small Business Hotline on 1300 654 687 for information on support programs, grants and services for Queensland small businesses. |
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The Gold Coast is Australia's sixth largest city with a fast-growing economy. We're continuing to support and enable future growth to create a modern, globally connected city. Find out about the services and programs we offer businesses to support the development of one of the fastest growing regions in Australia. |
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Experience Gold Coast supports local businesses by driving demand, visitation and awareness through destination marketing, events and industry partnerships. They connect operators to opportunities, insights and networks that help businesses grow, collaborate and reach more customers across the visitor economy. |
Chamber of commerce
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The Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce is the only organization that champions all businesses across all industries in the City. We attract, support, and grow business through advocacy, economic development, and business development. We facilitate quality business-to-business activities and services for our members and provide a common voice to act as an intermediary to communicate business preferences, issues, and priorities to Local, State and Federal agencies. |
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The goal of the Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce is to provide a leadership role in achieving economic growth and encourage sustainable development of the local area which will enhance and benefit the business and general community. We achieve this through regular meetings, networking opportunities, and other functions, which include members from the local, state, and federal governments and other business leaders from around the area. The Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce is also a proud member of the Gold Coast Combined Chambers of Commerce and CCIQ |
Traffic and parking changes
As major construction progresses, traffic changes and on-street parking closures are required along the Gold Coast Highway and in some side streets.
We have developed information to help business operators stay informed with these changes and ensure that suppliers, customers, clients and stakeholders can navigate the changed conditions.
Parking changes
Where the Gold Coast Highway is too narrow to accommodate the light rail tracks, stations and vehicle traffic lanes, some on-street parking will need to be removed. Visit our interactive design map to see the latest designs and find out where parking will be retained.
Parking closures during construction
For the latest traffic and parking changes visit our current works map.
You can also view the dedicated precinct construction pages for Nobby Beach and Burleigh Heads for information about parking changes during construction in each local area.
A parking factsheet has been developed which provides information about how we’re managing parking changes. This information can assist in communicating to your customers or suppliers.
Local vehicle access
Vehicles accessing businesses will be different during construction with barriers and traffic bollards in place to help ensure the Gold Coast Highway remains safe for the community and our workforce.
Access to driveways and off-street parking will be maintained with a local access arrangement.
A local vehicle access factsheet has been developed to help understand local access arrangements.
Wayfinding signage
Traffic and wayfinding signage will be installed along the project alignment to assist motorists and pedestrians with navigating around construction zones.
Wayfinding signage will ensure that the community is aware that local businesses along and near to the Gold Coast Highway continue to operate as usual throughout Stage 3 works, as well as communicate important construction-related changes such as the relocation and removal of parking, pedestrian routes and vehicle detours.
