RAIL - Back On Track Forum

https://twitter.com/SteveMinnikinMP/status/1617729621814038533

Full statement:

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1617687585262014466

 

I think it's a bit disingenuous when the past 3 years weren't exactly what everyone was expecting. Covid put a slow down on a lot of things, so I don't really think it's fair to blast them about that.

With the extended construction periods there may not be completion when CRR opens, is perhaps the only real concern.

I'd prefer they didn't open before CRR since it will only add more patronage to a network that will struggle to support it. 

^I dunno.
I mean there was always this Armageddon story that it would be not possible to add new stations or extensions pre CRR due to overcrowding.
Except the Bligh/Newman fare hikes, Rail Fail, Covid etc basically caused rail patronage to flatline. I reckon if the GC stations opened tomorrow there would be no problems.

I don't believe the stations will be finished before CRR opens. These announcements are just political diversion tactics to sway people away from thinking about the real issues happening in the community.

There have been a few coincidental announcements over the last few weeks following bad press.

https://twitter.com/tamhus8/status/1673505902178222081

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Updated designs on how Gold Coast's new train stations will look $

QuoteUpdated designs along with onsite works show the Gold Coast's three new railway stations are progressing, as the State Government defends criticism of a slow start to the rail projects.

Updated designs along with onsite works show the Gold Coast's three new railway stations are progressing, as the state government defends criticism of a slow start to the rail projects. ...

Be on the lookout!!!

A missing 20km of rail track between Varsity Lakes and Coolangatta....now missing for some years.... 

TMR had chosen not to extend the rail line. An extended rail line would have created full trains by Varsity Lakes or Nerang leaving passengers at upstream stations such as Coomera etc. unable to board in peak time.

Adding trains during peak was not possible without CRR. Now that CRR is nearing completion, the line can be extended.

Quote from: ozbob on June 27, 2023, 11:55:47 AMhttps://twitter.com/tamhus8/status/1673505902178222081

" Cheap looking exposed headstocks (dual level!)"

Headstocks have to be split level, due to level boarding. (This is because the rail formation level needs to sit significantly lower than platform level. This is then likely exacerbated by the girders under the rail being deeper than those under the platform.)

The 'exposed' approach looks to be due to relocating the OHlE off the platform, which IMO is a good idea to remove clutter from the platform.

A different, more aesthetically pleasing approach, could be Springfield Station's arch piers. But comparing structural geometry vs the busway stations is barking up the wrong tree. 

Get the line from Varsity Lakes to Coolangatta by 2032.

Commence 3-way negotiations with NSW and the Commonwealth to jointly develop a Qld Rail corridor down to Murwillumbah, (to link up with) NSW/Commonwealth to return rail to this BOOM region of NSW.

Note: I have caught a train out of an American town, called New York City and can confirm, trains can CROSS "old time" state boundaries, in fact, in the 21st Century, it's NOT a big deal....there is NO "monster at the border" eating thousands of commuters a day...the train, in the 21st Century just...well, it just crosses the border...no big deal actually!

You know world class 'stralia, tourism, industry, efficient movement of millions of people AWAY from congested road corridors!!!!

Quote from: SteelPan on August 16, 2023, 01:26:04 AMGet the line from Varsity Lakes to Coolangatta by 2032.

Commence 3-way negotiations with NSW and the Commonwealth to jointly develop a Qld Rail corridor down to Murwillumbah, (to link up with) NSW/Commonwealth to return rail to this BOOM region of NSW.

I'm not against interstate commuter rail, but building it to Murwillumbah when the main growth corridor is on the coast seems pretty pointless. I also think the chances of the branch from Casino to Murwillumbah ever being re-opened (on its current alignment at least) are close to nil.

Ideally, the line would follow the M1 corridor to Chinderah, then the Tweed Coast Rd corridor to Pottsville. From there, come back inland again a bit to avoid the Billinudgel Nature Reserve, rejoin the M1 corridor around Yelgun, then the basically the old alignment from Tyagarah into Byron Bay.

Stations at Tweed Heads South (not sure where the proposed Tweed Heads Light Rail will go, but I imagine it will probably use Minjungabal Drive, so this seems like a good place for a heavy rail station), Chinderah/Kingscliff North (Wommin Bay Rd), Kingscliff (Cudgen Rd), Casurina (Grand Pde).

Not really sure how you get through Cabarita Beach/Bogangar. May need a tunnel, because the Tweed Coast Rd alignment is unsuitable and has no space, and going west is not possible because of Cudgen Lake, although I'm also not sure of the issues with tunnelling that close to the coast. Ideally, you'd have a station around the intersection of Hastings Rd & Banksia Avenue, which would be walkable from most of the town. I guess the other alternative would be to head far enough west to miss Cudgen Lake, which means Cabarita/Bogangar doesn't get a station.

Not sure Hastings Point is big enough to warrant a station, so the next one would be at Pottsville. Not too sure where to locate it, but I think near Coronation Ave would be the best bet. It would be easiest for bus connections to the northern, southern, and western parts of the town, and would be walkable to a few businesses in the immediate area. Following Pottsville, next stations would be Ocean Shores and Byron Bay. Then via a similar but straightened/curve-eased alignment to Lismore and Casino to join the NSW North Coast Line.

Yes, I realise this is rather foamy, but I think it would be a great thing to see happen. Of course, this would need to be funded by the NSW/C'wth Governments.

Part of the Murwillumbah Rail corridor has been split off.  Some have been converted to a rail trail, whilst iirc another part is used for Heritage Rail (the solar powered train).

Murwillumbah is not coming back and nor should it.

Rail needs to go where people actually live, which is closer to the coastline.

Quote from: Arnz on August 16, 2023, 08:57:14 AMPart of the Murwillumbah Rail corridor has been split off.  Some have been converted to a rail trail, whilst iirc another part is used for Heritage Rail (the solar powered train).

Not sure what the situation with the rail trail is, but according the the Byron Bay Train website:

https://byronbaytrain.com.au/service/

QuoteWe hold a non-exclusive licence from Transport for NSW to use the rail corridor and rail infrastructure and are required to maintain both these state-owned assets at our own cost. The rail corridor and rail infrastructure including any improvements made by us remain the property of Transport for NSW.

So I imagine TfNSW can terminate that agreement in the future.

There's no point reactivating the current corridor since its too indirect through the hinterland, it would be like a worse version of the slow bits of the Sunshine Coast line.

If you were to have rail to Murwillumbah, surely it would new trackage that branches from a coastal line to Casurina, so have say 4tph to GC airport, becoming 2tph to Murwillumbah / 2tph to Casurina.

QuoteCommence 3-way negotiations with NSW and the Commonwealth to jointly develop a Qld Rail corridor down to Murwillumbah, (to link up with) NSW/Commonwealth to return rail to this BOOM region of NSW.

Does it have to be a train though? Why not just a better bus?

Buses are limited to a speed of 80-100 km/h so would not be as fast as a train could be due to the speed limits along the roads in that area (such as Tweed Valley Way and Tweed Coast Road)

Therefore a bus would violate the Marchetti constant.

Quote from: SurfRail on August 16, 2023, 09:21:48 AMMurwillumbah is not coming back and nor should it.

Rail needs to go where people actually live, which is closer to the coastline.

+ 1

Queensland Parliament E-Petition

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=3937

500 MORE CAR PARKS AND CONNECTIVITY AT HOPE ISLAND TRAIN STATION

TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the need for more car parking and connectivity at the Hope Island Train Station.

The Hope Island Train Station is an eagerly anticipated project that promises to enhance transportation accessibility for our local community. However, we have identified some critical points that need to be addressed.

The current proposal for approximately 179 car parks is far from sufficient. Similar stations in neighbouring areas are equipped with significantly higher parking capacities. We firmly believe that the provision of only 179 car parks will inevitably lead to congestion in nearby areas, such as the River Links and Monterey Keys neighbouring estates, as commuters resort to street parking.

We recognise the importance of providing accessible transportation options for all members of our community, especially our older demographic. We strongly urge the implementation of an on-demand shuttle bus service that will provide a reliable and efficient way to access the train station and its services.

Preserving the remaining area of Mangrove Jack Park as a valuable community space is of utmost importance, and we ask that its coexistence with the station's infrastructure be carefully considered during the planning process.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to:

A) increase the parking capacity at Hope Island Train Station by 500 carparks;

B) implement an on-demand shuttle bus service that will provide a reliable and efficient way to access the train station; and

C) preserve the remaining area of Mangrove Jack Park.

Quote from: Gazza on August 16, 2023, 11:21:51 AMBuses are limited to a speed of 80-100 km/h so would not be as fast as a train could be due to the speed limits along the roads in that area (such as Tweed Valley Way and Tweed Coast Road)

Therefore a bus would violate the Marchetti constant.

There certainly need to be better bus services though - Route 603 down to Pottsville being only hourly is a joke.

Bus services in and around Byron are also garbage.  It would be a lot cheaper to fix that than reinstate the old rail corridor even in places where it might conceivably make some sense (eg as far as Mullumbimby) or develop a new rail corridor.

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/993-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 993
Asked on 24 August 2023

MR D CRISAFULLI ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS AND MINISTER FOR DIGITIAL SERVICES (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to the completion of the Hope Island Train Station—
Will the Minister advise (a) if a bus route is to be introduced to connect residents from adjacent
suburbs and (b) how local residents can be involved in the planning of any new route?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Broadwater for the question.

Urban buses will service the new Hope Island train station.
Translink planners will use community information and feedback to ensure that proposed bus
routes meet service accessibility needs. Public communications will commence at the appropriate
time in this planning process.

The main thing I want to see is a reorganization of the network so there is a route that runs from Woolworths Oxenford through to either Harbour Town or GCUH, straight along Hope Island Road and Oxley drive.

^ There are 2 parts of the system layout I've never really been happy with even after multiple reviews.  These are independent of issues around span and frequency - and ignoring that I have only minor or no issues with some individual routes.

1. The "Broadwater" area (711/712/713/718/719)

2. The Ashmore-Benowa area (737/738/739/741/742)

Hope Island should hopefully force a change for the former area.  Worst outcome would be that the 725 just deviates into the station and nothing else changes..

Quote from: ozbob on August 26, 2023, 03:04:20 AMQueensland Parliament E-Petition

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=3937

500 MORE CAR PARKS AND CONNECTIVITY AT HOPE ISLAND TRAIN STATION

TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the need for more car parking and connectivity at the Hope Island Train Station.

The Hope Island Train Station is an eagerly anticipated project that promises to enhance transportation accessibility for our local community. However, we have identified some critical points that need to be addressed.

The current proposal for approximately 179 car parks is far from sufficient. Similar stations in neighbouring areas are equipped with significantly higher parking capacities. We firmly believe that the provision of only 179 car parks will inevitably lead to congestion in nearby areas, such as the River Links and Monterey Keys neighbouring estates, as commuters resort to street parking.

We recognise the importance of providing accessible transportation options for all members of our community, especially our older demographic. We strongly urge the implementation of an on-demand shuttle bus service that will provide a reliable and efficient way to access the train station and its services.

Preserving the remaining area of Mangrove Jack Park as a valuable community space is of utmost importance, and we ask that its coexistence with the station's infrastructure be carefully considered during the planning process.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to:

A) increase the parking capacity at Hope Island Train Station by 500 carparks;

B) implement an on-demand shuttle bus service that will provide a reliable and efficient way to access the train station; and

C) preserve the remaining area of Mangrove Jack Park.

Response:

> https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tp/2023/5723T2108-B3BA.pdf

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/1477-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 1477
Asked on 16 November 2023

MRS L GERBER ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS AND MINISTER
FOR DIGITAL SERVICES (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to the $8m given by the Federal Government to fund a business case into
extending the heavy rail south from Varsity Lakes to the Gold Coast Airport—
Will the Minister advise (a) when the Minister received the business case or a copy of the
feasibility study and (b) why the Minister has not made the report public?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Currumbin for the question.

The Federal Government did not commit $8 million to fund a business case for extending the
heavy rail from Varsity Lakes to the Gold Coast Airport. The Federal Government, via its former
National Faster Rail Agency, committed $8 million for Brisbane to Gold Coast Faster Rail
investigations.

Of this funding, $4.75 million was allocated to undertake a business case for the Logan and Gold
Coast Faster Rail project to increase capacity between Kuraby and Beenleigh to allow more and
faster services to operate between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The Logan and Gold Coast
Faster Rail Business Case has been completed. Community engagement on the refined
reference design is now underway. Further information about the status of this project is available
on the Department of Transport and Main Roads' (TMR) website.

The remaining $3.25 million was allocated to investigate further opportunities for delivering faster
journeys between Brisbane and the Gold Coast beyond the delivery of the Logan and Gold Coast
Faster Rail project. These longer-term investigations are ongoing, noting any additional
investment would be subject to consideration of the highest priorities across the transport
network.

The future extension of the Gold Coast heavy rail corridor between Varsity Lakes and the Gold
Coast Airport remains part of TMR's long-term vision and strategy for delivering improved public
transport connectivity across the region. It is identified in the South East Queensland Regional
Transport Plans 2021 and SEQ Rail Connect. TMR has protected this corridor since 2009.

TMR is currently finalising a technical review of the corridor to ensure it remains suitable for the
delivery of future heavy rail infrastructure and services. This will ensure a coordinated outcome
is achieved with other closely related projects in the area, such as the Pacific Highway M1
upgrade between Varsity Lakes and Tugun, and future Gold Coast light rail extension.
Delivery of this project is subject to funding availability, statewide priorities and coordination with
other investment on the South East Queensland rail network.

Government Statement

REVEALED: Final design for new Pimpama train station

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/99794

https://x.com/7NewsGoldCoast/status/1762385380543013283?s=20

Pimpama looks to be a bit of an awkward station due to the ground/platform levels, needing that small set of stairs down to platform level from the entry.