Gold Coast Light Rail shows Queenslanders’ retirement savings at work

L-R James Ward (Palisade), Lisa Kay (Brighter Super), Damien Webb (Brighter Super), Kate Farrar (Brighter Super), Alistair Pollock (Palisade), Renee Davidson (Brighter Super)

8 September 2026

Queensland’s third-largest non-government financial institution*, Brighter Super, took its leadership team on the Gold Coast Light Rail’s newest section today to see one of its long-held infrastructure investments in operation.

The visit followed the opening of Stage 3 on 9 August 2026, and reflects the Queensland-based, 100% member-owned superannuation fund’s commitment to investing in Queensland assets.

Brighter Super has been an investor in the Gold Coast Light Rail since 2011 through its infrastructure manager, Palisade Investment Partners, a member of the GoldlinQ consortium that has designed, built and financed the network, and continues to operate and maintain it. The project is also funded by the Queensland and Australian governments and the City of Gold Coast.

Kate Farrar, CEO of Brighter Super said: “We're proud to support such in-demand infrastructure.”

Planning is continuing for a 3.2-kilometre northern extension of the Gold Coast Light Rail from Gold Coast University Hospital to the Harbour Town shopping precinct at Biggera Waters.

Ms Farrar said the Gold Coast Light Rail is a tangible example of what Brighter Super’s Queensland Investment Strategy is designed to achieve.

“Most of our members live and work in Queensland, and many of them live on the Gold Coast. The light rail shows how their retirement savings can work in two ways: supporting their long-term financial outcomes while investing in infrastructure they use every day.”

Brighter Super announced its Queensland Investment Strategy in 2024, committing an additional $500 million in local assets by 2029. Two years into this five-year commitment, $250 million has already been invested under the strategy across four sectors: infrastructure, property and logistics, agriculture and high-growth businesses.

That commitment builds on the more than $1 billion Brighter Super had already invested in Queensland at the time of the 2024 announcement - a portfolio that includes its long-standing position in the Gold Coast Light Rail.

“We’ll keep investing with discipline, partnering with experienced managers and co-investors so that every Queensland investment meets the same return, risk and cost hurdles as anywhere else in our portfolio,” Ms Farrar said.

“Queensland’s population growth, its infrastructure pipeline and the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are creating real opportunities, and the Gold Coast is a big part of that.”

Ms Farrar said Brighter Super’s local presence mattered as much as the capital it deployed.

“We’ve seen a decline in locally headquartered financial capability, which raises an important question about who will continue backing Queensland into the future,” she said.

“With around 85 per cent of our funds under management coming from Queensland members, we’re making sure Queensland’s retirement savings are invested back into the projects that help secure the state’s future.”

Brighter Super has over $38 billion in funds under management and over 340,000 members.

To learn more about how Brighter Super is backing Queensland’s future visit brightersuper.com.au/qld-investments

For more information on the 6.7km Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 project, from Broadbeach South station to Burleigh Heads, go to: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/gold-coast-light-rail

*Based on assets under management of non-government financial institutions in Queensland.

Brighter Super Trustee (ABN 94 085 088 484 AFS Licence No. 230511) (“Trustee”) as trustee for Brighter Super (ABN 23 053 121 564) (“Fund”). Brighter Super may refer to the Trustee or the Fund as the context may be. Brighter Super products are issued by the Trustee on behalf of the Fund. This media release provides general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your needs prior to making any decisions and consult a licensed financial advisor if you require advice. Obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination before making any decision to acquire any products. Visit https://www.brightersuper.com.au/pds-and-guides.  Past performance is not an indicator of future performance.