Robina to Varsity Lakes rail work to start!

[ozbob]

Premier of Queensland has announced work will start this month on a $324 million Gold Coast rail extension from Robina to Varsity Lakes.  More at --> http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/10/1974383.htm

Great news!!

Regards
Ozbob

[ozbob]

Joint Statement:

Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Paul Lucas
10/07/2007

STATE GOVERNMENT MAKES TRACKS FROM ROBINA TO VARSITY LAKES

The Gold Coast commuters are set to benefit from a major boost to public transport with today's announcement by Premier Peter Beattie that work will begin soon on the 4.1 kilometre rail extension from Robina to Varsity Lakes.

Premier Peter Beattie said the $324.4 million rail extension was the latest improvement to public transport on the Gold Coast.

"We are already duplicating the track on the Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines and building new trains to provide more services and seats," Mr Beattie said.

"So today's announcement is the icing on the cake for residents on the Varsity Lakes area who will soon have convenient rail service for the first time.

"Construction work will begin later this month and is expected to be completed by 2010."

Mr Beattie said the funding would provide important new infrastructure for the Gold Coast including:
? a new dual electrified track 4.1 kilometres south of Robina
? a 300 metre tunnel under Easthill Drive, Robina
? two road overbridges at Investigator Drive and Robina Parkway, and
? a new station at Varsity Lakes.

"The Gold Coast region is one of the fastest growing areas of South East Queensland," Mr Beattie said.

"Not only is the State Government proceeding with the rail infrastructure it has set aside another $23.7 million for work on the transport-oriented development at the Varsity Lakes Station.

"And we are already planning even further ahead with an additional $6 million for early works, planning and design for the next stage of the rail upgrade from Varsity Lakes to Tallebudgera."

Mr Beattie said the Varsity Lakes Station would provide at least 300 commuter car parking spaces, a drop-off area, six bus and 10 taxi bays.

"The project is part of the Queensland Government's $82 billion infrastructure plan to manage growth and protect our lifestyle," Mr Beattie said.

Transport Minister Paul Lucas said the Robina-Varsity extension was the latest instalment in $7 billion commitment to build a better rail network including 144 kilometres of new track and 44 new trains.

"The Ormeau to Coomera duplication was completed in September 2006, and we are continuing work on the Salisbury to Kuraby third track and the Helensvale to Robina duplication," Mr Lucas said.

"Over the next two years, Gold Coast commuters will see a major boost of almost 60 per cent in seating capacity on their line for northbound morning services as the new trains arrive and the extra tracks are built.

"Once the third track from Salisbury to Kuraby is completed in early 2008, we will increase the track capacity on the Gold Coast line by a huge 50 per cent and add a further two 6-car trains by March 2008. That is an extra 868 seats."

Media contact: Premier's office 3224 4500
Transport Minister's office 3237 1942
10 July 2007

[ozbob]

Sunday Mail 13 Apr 2008 page 24 not online

[ozbob]

Progress!

From tomorrow morning (April 14th) the new double track which is bi-directional from Helensvale to Nerang will be operating.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
13/04/2008

New Varsity Lakes station design on show

Sustainable design features and public transport connections planned at the new Varsity Lakes railway station will be on display from tomorrow.

Minister for Transport John Mickel, who unveiled the new station design today, said plans and artists' impressions of the innovative and eco-friendly station would be displayed until Thursday 24 April at venues including Robina station and Robina Town Centre.

"Sustainable features are an important part of the new station design, which will use solar energy for some of its hot water and electricity," Mr Mickel said.

"It will be one of the first stations in QR's urban rail network to be installed with rainwater storage tanks to collect roof water for its bathroom and garden irrigation needs.

"Recycled building materials such as timber, floor systems and reconstituted paving will be used.

"The new station features 300 car commuter parking spaces, 50 secure bicycle lockers, a sheltered taxi rank and bus stop.

"The design also allows for natural lighting and ventilation to utilise existing breeze, particularly in the hot summer months.

"An open plaza concourse, sheltered island platform, overpass and a lift will provide a contemporary transit environment that is safe, accessible and welcoming."

Mr Mickel said Varsity Lakes station would be the centerpiece of the future Varsity Station Village.

"This village will be Queensland's first purpose-built 'transit-oriented development', which has planned residential, shopping and employment close to major public transport connections," Mr Mickel said.

Construction of the station starts in mid-2008 and is expected to be completed by 2010.

"The new Varsity Lakes station is being constructed as part of the $324.4 million Robina to Varsity Lakes Rail Extension Project, which involves extending the line 4.1 kilometres south from Robina. In addition, the government is also funding $23.7 million for the adjacent transit-oriented development," Mr Mickel said.

"Once completed by 2010, this project will deliver twin electrified tracks from Robina to Varsity Lakes, a 300-metre tunnel under Easthill Drive at Robina, three road overpasses and the Varsity Lakes station.

Mr Mickel said the Robina to Varsity Lakes Rail Extension Project was just one of the infrastructure projects currently underway to improve services to and from the Gold Coast.

"In another boost, the first half of the Helensvale-to-Robina track duplication is complete, with the second track between Helensvale and Nerang being commissioned this weekend and ready for trains to operate from tomorrow," Mr Mickel said.

"The entire second track between Helensvale and Robina will be complete in August 2008, allowing for extra capacity to operate more services from Robina in the longer-term.

"These projects are all part of the Queensland Government's $82 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan, of which $7 billion has been committed to building a better rail network, delivering 144km of new track and 44 new trains."

Mr Mickel encouraged the community to have their say on the new Varsity Lakes station design.

Community information sessions with artists' impressions and plans of the new station will be held as follows:

Staffed displays
Robina station - Wednesday 16 April from 6am-9am and 5pm-7pm, Wednesday 23 April from 6am-9am and 4pm-6pm
Robina Town Centre (next to Target) - Thursday 17 April from 4pm-8pm and Saturday 19 April from 10am-3pm

Unstaffed displays
Robina station - Monday 14 April to Thursday 24 April from 9am-5pm
Robina Town Centre (next to Target) - Monday 14 April to Thursday 24 April during opening hours
Easy T Centre, Varsity Lakes - Monday 14 April to Thursday 24 April during opening hours

For more information about the project, please call 1800 66 22 40 (freecall) or visit www.qr.com.au/seqip.

13 April 2008

==============================================================

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

The eco-friendly train station


http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/ffximage/2008/04/14/470varsity2,0.jpg

The eco-friendly train station
Shannon Molloy | April 14, 2008 - 10:38AM

Rainwater tanks, solar energy and recycled building materials are some of the eco-friendly features incorporated in plans for a new railway station at Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast.

Transport Minister John Mickel unveiled the designs yesterday and said the station would include a range of sustainable and eco-friendly elements.

"It will be one of the first stations in Queensland Rail's urban rail network to be installed with rainwater storage tanks to collect roof water for its bathroom and garden irrigation needs," Mr Mickel said.

Solar energy will also be used for hot water and electricity generation, while recycled building materials from timber to reconstituted paving will be used in construction.

The new station includes 300 commuter car parks, 50 secure bike lockers and a bus stop.

"An open plaza concourse, sheltered island platform, overpass and lift will provide a contemporary transit environment that is safe, accessible and welcoming," he said.

"The design also allows for natural lighting and ventilation to utilise existing breeze, particularly in the hot summer months."

The station will be the centrepiece of the future Varsity Station Village, which will become the state's first purpose-built, transit-oriented development.

Varsity Station Village includes plans for residential, shopping and employment facilities.

Construction on the station begins later this year and is expected to be completed by 2010. Designs and artist impressions will be on display at Robina Station and the Robina Town Centre until April 24.

[ButFli]

I'm not too sure what to think about the look of that new station but it's great to see money being spent on rail infrastructure where it's needed.