Ministerial Statement: SOUTHPORT - PREFERRED RAPID TRANSIT ROUTE ANNOUNCED

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Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Thursday, October 04, 2007

PREFERRED RAPID TRANSIT ROUTE ANNOUNCED

Scarborough Street is the preferred route for the Gold Coast Rapid Transit system through Southport.

Transport Minister John Mickel said planning by TransLink had confirmed Scarborough Street would be the best option for future passenger movements and better support the continued growth of the Southport central business district.

During planning and consultation two options for the Southport alignment were considered: S1 along Nerang Street and Marine Parade and S2 via Scarborough Street.

Both options were presented to the community during consultation in March this year.

"The Scarborough Street option allows the rapid transit system to travel through the key business and employment centre of Southport and provide good access to the Scarborough/Nerang Streets precinct," Mr Mickel said.

"Unlike the Marine Parade option, this route won't hamper the considerable traffic flow from Australia Fair's car parks."

The Gold Coast Rapid Transit system is a $600 million Queensland Government project being delivered by TransLink in partnership with Gold Coast City Council.

It is proposed as a fast, frequent, reliable system that's integrated with the existing transport network, using light rail or bus. It will ultimately link Helensvale with Coolangatta, passing through Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

TransLink is still engaged in planning with other government departments and key stakeholders on a route between Helensvale and the Griffith University campus, to include access to the new Gold Coast University Hospital site.

Mr Mickel said from next Monday through to November 2 the local community will be consulted on the route of the proposed rapid transit system between Southport and Broadbeach.

"Advertising will go out for three community information sessions that have been planned where residents, businesses, community and environmental groups can talk to the project team face-to-face.

"There'll also be information displays at various venues throughout the area and a second project newsletter will be distributed this week detailing the proposed route."

A Concept Design and Impact Management Plan will be completed after an assessment of environmental, social, economic and other views of the community. This report is due to go to the state government in mid-2008.

For project details go to www.translink.com.au/gc_rapidtransit.

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Article from Gold Coast Bulletin

New transport plan affects 4000 homes

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DESPITE the scarcity of space in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, the State Government is planning to force a new rail track or bus link along the middle of the Gold Coast Highway.

Translink will tonight officially unveil the third stage of the controversial $600 million rapid transit system from Sundale Bridge to Broadbeach.

Translink last week announced the system would take out more than 100 properties between Griffith University and Southport even before it passes through the tourist heart of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The exact location of the properties has remained under wraps while Translink finalises negotiations with landowners.

While Southport locals remain in the dark about their future, industry groups, Chambers of Commerce and stakeholders will tonight get a sneak peek at the route's next stage in an invitation-only briefing for big business at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Section three of the project will travel from a new section of the Sundale bridge, along the Gold Coast Highway to Pacific Fair with 10 stops at key locations including Cavill Avenue, the Q1 and the convention centre.

Instead of establishing a dedicated corridor, Translink wants to build a new track along the middle of the Gold Coast Highway.

A new middle lane will be built in Broadbeach, while parts of the Surfers Paradise route will include a shared lane with other traffic and a dedicated corridor alongside the section of highway used by Indy.

The system bypasses the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre and travels along Surfers Paradise Boulevard, the shopping and business heart of the tourist centre.

Commerce Queensland Gold Coast chairman Tom Tate said business owners were alarmed by the plan.

He said it could cause further traffic chaos and create a safety hazard for tourists.

"This draft route is the most unsafe route around," he said.

"For years we have been encouraging people to walk from the beach to the river and back, and now they want to put a rapid transit through the centre of it all.

"This could cause huge problems during Indy, and schoolies could play chicken with it."

Mr Tate said he had grave concerns about the system being squeezed in along Surfers Paradise Boulevard.

More ... Click here!