Gold Coast light rail - Stage 3

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast Light rail Stage 3: Mermaid Beach Gold Coast Highway traffic changes $

Light rail bosses insist construction of the $1bn Broadbeach to Burleigh extension is on track to open in 2025 as they prepare to ramp up construction on the Gold Coast Highway.

The highway, one of the city's busiest arterial roads, will be reduced to one lane in Mermaid Beach between Markeri Street and Cronulla Avenue in the next stage of works, which begin on July 9.

Construction of the track itself is yet to begin, with the work focusing on installing utilities underneath the tram infrastructure itself. The Bulletin understands the works are running behind schedule, with sources close to the project saying there had been significant delays during the first phase of work. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1683302556431450112

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast Highway lane closure likely for a month on busy stretch $

A busy stretch of the Gold Coast Highway is on the cusp of narrowing again - this time for potentially a month - due to a lane closure repeat aimed at speeding up light rail works.

The roughly 1.5 kilometre highway stretch northbound from Markeri Street to Cronulla Avenue is pencilled in to reduce to one lane again from next week, the Bulletin can reveal.

It is understood it could stay at one lane for a month until the next round of school holidays kick in mid-September. ...

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Light rail from Broadbeach to Burleigh causes parking chaos with 500 spots to be lost $

At least 500 parks will be lost to light rail on the new southern route from Broadbeach to Burleigh in a bombshell revelation which will force council to ramp up restricted parking.

A three-hour parking limit from 9am to 5pm will be introduced on weekdays on a 400m walking catchment along the entire Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 corridor.

Councillor Daphne McDonald after 12 months of not getting answers, at a transport committee update asked officers for a figure on the loss of car parks on Stage 3.

City officers confirmed the number but admitted they were still working through design issues with the contractor. GoldlinQ regards final street parking as a council issue. ...

[Jonno]

Tell me your Community regards car parking as a religious right without telling me your Community regards car parking as a religious right!!

[SurfRail]

I suspect the "loss" of 500 parks is the gross figure - they were always going to be increasing the supply on adjacent streets.  There is no need for parking to be on the GC Hwy itself for most of this stretch.

[#Metro]

Agree with Jonno - in some countries parking along a main road is illegal.

[achiruel]

I suspect the "loss" of 500 parks is the gross figure - they were always going to be increasing the supply on adjacent streets.  There is no need for parking to be on the GC Hwy itself for most of this stretch.

Surely you didn't except l expect the GCB to have factual reporting? 

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Plans for multi-level car park as light rail resumes 500 spaces Broadbeach to Burleigh $

Campaigning has begun for a park and ride facility at Burleigh as the solution to the shock loss of up to 500 car park spaces due to light rail.

In a bombshell revelation earlier this month, the Bulletin detailed how the carparking would be removed as light rail was constructed from Broadbeach to Burleigh. The loss of spaces will also force council to establish a three-hour parking limit from 9am to 5pm along the corridor.

But concerned city councillors, after a debate at a full council meeting last week, want more options to ease the problems, including a park and ride facility. ...

[#Metro]

Why is a park and ride facility required when two trams will meet or exceed the lost car parking spaces?

[JimmyP]

Because this country can't get past the 'Car is King' mentality.

[achiruel]

If we really need a Park'n'Ride, let's have one provided in a cost recovery basis. $2 per hour, maybe? Someone who knows what they're doing would have to work out the sums.

[SurfRail]

It's already a GCCC carpark, they can waste their own money on it.

[minbrisbane]

Why is a park and ride facility required when two trams will meet or exceed the lost car parking spaces?

It's not really required - it's just pandering to car users, as usual

[Gazza]

Why is a park and ride facility required when two trams will meet or exceed the lost car parking spaces?

Why is a park and ride facility required when two trams will meet or exceed the lost car parking spaces?

[achiruel]

^ I suspect the areas in Perth getting 50% of their passengers from P&R might be somewhat lower density that Burleigh Heads.

I don't really support a P&R here, but if we must have one, it should be on a cost recovery basis.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3

Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads

> https://www.gclr3.com.au/goldlinq/gclr3

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1699873932936171616?

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Scott Imlach says Light Rail Stage 3 construction will kill small businesses $

A Gold Coast bar king who was one of the city's biggest advocates for light rail has had a shock change of heart on the transport project after his businesses have been hit by a 50 per cent drop in trading.

Scott Imlach, who owns Bine Bar and Dining, Okawari House, Night Jar and others along the planned Light Rail Stage 3 route through Mermaid Beach down to Burleigh Heads, said parking was the main issue impacting the decrease in numbers.

His struggles came only five months after he said businesses needed to stop blaming the Light Rail for failed ventures.

"People blame the tram but I don't think the tram is the problem, I think people are doing bad business," Mr Imlach said ahead of opening Okawari House in April.

"People aren't going to stop eating for 10 years." ...

[ozbob]

https://x.com/meaghan_scanlon/status/1710455551027724562?s=20

[ozbob]

https://x.com/TMRQld/status/1714801072798064931?s=20

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Tabled Papers

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3-Projects Agreement Summary

https://apps.parliament.qld.gov.au/find?id=5723T2088

====

Probity Advisor's Report-Evaluation of the Operator Franchisee Initiated Modification to the Gold Coast Light Rail Network Project Deed to Initiate Stage 3

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tp/2023/5723T2089-C626.pdf

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/council-election/gold-coast-city-council-election-2024-plans-for-multistorey-light-rail-carparks-in-burleigh-and-palm-beach/news-story/ae11bc1506a169853e22d6bfa6ea9c38

... The Gold Coast City Council will spend $40m to build two multistorey carparks on the southern light rail route to take pressure off side streets.

Mayor Tom Tate will unveil the plans for two park'n'ride facilities on Thursday which will add another 1668 spaces for vehicles in Palm Beach and Burleigh Heads.

The two complexes will be five levels each and will be built on the site of Alex Black Carpark, next to the Burleigh library and Palm Beach's Joe Davidson carpark, which sits between 7th and 8th avenue.

Mr Tate said both would cost $35-40m. ...

[AnonymouslyBad]

^ I hate it. But I suppose Gold Coast problems need Gold Coast solutions.

[ozbob]

GCLR3

> https://www.gclr3.com.au/goldlinq/gclr3

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard - Adjournment

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2024/2024_05_23_DAILY.pdf

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3

Mr STEVENS (Mermaid Beach—LNP) (6.56 pm): With 85 per cent of the Gold Coast Light Rail
going through my electorate of Mermaid Beach, I am totally disappointed at the disruption and uncaring
attitude the constructing body has demonstrated to residents and businesses along the route as they
continue on their unfettered program with total disregard for community concerns. This construction
was supposed to be different from light rail stages 1 and 2 in that it was to be done in staged segments
to minimise the pain and suffering for businesses and residents. The government said they had learned
from stages 1 and 2 and they would build stage 3 in a more caring and considered program.

What happened? There is light rail construction from Pacific Fair to Burleigh, and the businesses
along these sealed-off frontages along the Gold Coast Highway have either gone broke or are going
broke. Southport and Surfers have still not recovered from light rail stages 1 and 2 construction. I met
with residents at Nobby Beach the other day, and one man living on the highway with two very young
children said he could not get any sleep, with the construction noise going right through the night. Is he
going to cop that noise until the end of 2025, when the opening date is currently scheduled? Surely
there can be a better, staged construction program that delivers shorter periods of inconvenience and
suffering to smaller sections as they progress down the highway.

If this is the standard this government accepts for light rail construction, I feel for southern
residents from Burleigh to the airport if light rail stage 4 ever sees the light of day—not that I think their Labor mate Albanese has any intention to fund 55 per cent of $7.6 billion, as the cost estimate of light rail stage 4 has blown out to, and that is without the normal Labor blowouts and costs this state
government adds to every piece of infrastructure it tries to build in Queensland, when it actually
constructs something. The $250 million BPIC union demanded cost overrun for light rail stage 3 that
the construction body refused to pay but which was picked up by the taxpayers of Queensland by the
Labor government is just another classic case of a financially incompetent government dancing to the
tune of union demands.

What has happened to the corollary benefits of suffering the construction of light rail stage 3
through the Mermaid Beach electorate such as upgrades to Hedges Avenue and Albatross Avenue,
which are in dire need of modernisation? The footpath in Hedges Avenue needs doubling and
smoothing at a minimum, and the undergrounding of power lines to eliminate pedestrian and cycle
impediments is essential. These should be the legacy projects from light rail stage 3 construction as
promised to residents, and they should start now. I cannot wait for October so that Queenslanders can
show Labor the door in 2024.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2024/663-2024.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 663
Asked on 22 May 2024

MR R STEVENS ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS AND MINISTER
FOR DIGITAL SERVICES (HON B MELLISH)

QUESTION:

With reference to the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 being scheduled to be operational by the end
of 2025—
Will the Minister advise if Light Rail 3 is still on budget and on time for completion?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Mermaid Beach for the question.

Queensland is experiencing the fastest population growth in Australia and an unprecedented
number of people are now choosing to move to South East Queensland. As with many other
infrastructure projects across Australia, cost escalations and supply chain issues have affected
many road and rail projects in Queensland.

Stage 3 of the Gold Coast Light Rail, currently in construction from Broadbeach to
Burleigh Heads, is a critical public transport connection which directly supports the Gold Coast's
expanding population. It is a major undertaking, which is advancing with careful management to
remain within the $1.219 billion budget jointly provided by the federal, state, and local
governments.

My commitment to transparency and keeping Queenslanders updated on the cost of major
projects twice per year, remains in place.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is committed to commencing the Stage 3
Testing and Commissioning phase by late 2025. The timeline for the schedule of works is outlined
on the project page at https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/gold-coast-light-rail.
The Queensland Government is delivering its ninth record transport and roads infrastructure
program in a row, as detailed in the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program
2024–25 to 2027–28, which outlines $37.4 billion in investment over the next four years and is
estimated to support an average of 28,000 direct jobs over the life of the program. Of this,
$5.458 billion is committed across TMR's South Coast Region, estimated to support an average
of 3930 direct jobs over the life of the program.

[ozbob]

Government Statement

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/100784

Rail Works Move Ahead in Miami

9th July 2024

The future of the Gold Coast Light Rail is officially set in stone as Gold Coasters will now see rail installed in the centre of the Gold Coast Highway in Miami, as part of the Stage 3 Gold Coast Light Rail works.

The section south of Nobby Beach will be installed first, closely followed by another section in Mermaid Beach.In total, 28 kilometres of rail will be installed along the Stage 3 route, with 14 kilometres expected to be in place by the end of 2024. The rail works will move significantly quicker than the utility upgrades below the ground, which had been occurring along the alignment since late 2022.

Rail works will require changes on the Gold Coast Highway and nearby side streets from Broadbeach to Miami, along the Stage 3 corridor. Motorists travelling in the area are reminded to drive to the conditions and continue to follow directions.

Utilities relocations will continue for the rest of this year in various sections on the Stage 3 alignment.

GCLR3 includes 6.7 kilometres of new dual-track light rail running from Broadbeach south station to Burleigh Heads, eight new light rail stations and five light rail vehicles.

Quotes attributable to Acting Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Murray Watt:

"The first piece of rail installed in the centre of the Gold Coast Highway for the Light Rail Stage 3 project is an exciting milestone.

"This project is a prime example of the Albanese Government's commitment to delivering nation-shaping infrastructure, which will open up affordable public transport for Gold Coasters, while cutting congestion."

Quote attributable to Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services Bart Mellish:

"The future of transport and connectivity on the Gold Coast has hit another milestone today with the first section of track in the light rail extension officially set in stone.

"This public transport link over its lifespan will potentially serve hundreds of millions of people from the Gold Coast and across the world.

"The track is in the ground, we have five brand new trams added to the existing fleet, and we're going to see plenty more work above and under the ground taking shape from now into next year.

"We know there may be short term challenges during construction, but we know the project is continually hitting milestones that point to a bright future.

"Not only that, but construction of Stage 3 is providing 760 locals with jobs, with more than 90 per cent of those being local and 90 per cent of procurement from local suppliers."

Quotes attributable to City of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate:

"Travelling between Broadbeach to Burleigh it is clear to see the progress being made on Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3, and today's milestone is more proof that the light rail project is gaining momentum.

"Gold Coasters are clearly seeing the progress being made to build the light rail, with over 80 active work fronts on the 6.7-kilometre route.

"I look forward to seeing the light rail extending all the way to the Gold Coast Airport in the years to come.

"This is a city-shaping project built by the Gold Coast, for the Gold Coast."

Quotes attributable to GoldlinQ Chairman John Witheriff:

"A significant amount of the rail works including concrete pours will be undertaken during the day, which residents will appreciate. As summer approaches, there will be a requirement for night works due to the curing time for the concrete.

"We have been pleased to see how drivers have navigated the road changes so far. The traffic changes are unavoidable during construction, but overall driver behaviour has been excellent."

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast light rail Stage 3: When trams will begin running between Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads $

Construction of Stage 3 of the light rail between Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads has reached a critical milestone, as it's revealed when the first trams will reach the southern suburb.

The first trams will begin travelling down the Gold Coast Highway to Burleigh Heads late 2025 as construction of Stage 3 reaches a critical milestone.

The first tracks have been laid in the 6.7km extension between Broadbeach and Burleigh, with the first sections coming around halfway – on the highway at Miami near Kedron Ave. ...

[ozbob]

It's ramping up on the Goldy this morning with Murray Watt - Senator for Queensland. Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3...

Posted by Bart Mellish MP on Monday 8 July 2024

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Stand-off between council and State Government preventing 32,000 'tram' homes being built $

The $1.2bn Broadbeach-Burleigh light rail extension can handle 32,000 new dwellings, city estimates show. See what council's planning boss urges the Housing Minister to do

The Gold Coast planning boss councillor Mark Hammel is pleading with Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon to apply her intervention that allowed 650 homes to be built on a country club to a much bigger housing crisis fix. ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> LNP hit with $500m rail budget bomb as cost blowout laid bare $

The Gold Coast Light Rail linking Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads is a year behind schedule and has blown out by $330m to an eye-watering $1.55bn.

It, along with a $170m increase in the cost of Cross River Rail, are the latest projects plagued with problems that the new state LNP administration blames on the previous nine-year Labor government.

The Courier-Mail can also reveal the full opening of the Gold Coast Light Rail stage three will be pushed back a year to mid-2026. ...

[#Metro]

At ~ $231 million / km for Stage 3, these costs are closer to heavy rail installation than LRT.

It is now very likely that Stage 4 wil be delayed indefinitely and a bus put on.

A Stage 4 cost estimate based on Stage 3 would be 13 km x $231 million/km = $3 billion ballpark.

[Jonno]

At ~ $231 million / km for Stage 3, these costs are closer to heavy rail installation than LRT.

It is now very likely that Stage 4 wil be delayed indefinitely and a bus put on.

A Stage 4 cost estimate based on Stage 3 would be 13 km x $231 million/km = $3 billion ballpark.

...said the spokesperson for BBIT.

[#Metro]

Well Jonno, if the minister delays this project and puts on a bus, you can top up my Go Card, and if they don't, I'll top up yours.

How does that sound?   

[Gazza]

I just dont see how its helpful to make repetitive posts (Remember the forum rule about that guys?) saying that buses are cheaper than rail.

Yes we know, that has always been the case, its not new information.

[Jonno]

Well Jonno, if the minister delays this project and puts on a bus, you can top up my Go Card, and if they don't, I'll top up yours.

How does that sound?   

I don't bet on stupidity.

[hU0N]

Colour me skeptical..

I mean, a key plank of foolinomics is giving a large sack of state money to mining billionaires, and that will throw the budget off a cliff. Of course, the LNP can't be seen to have done that.  And they can't pretend the budget was already in a black hole because it is quite famously (in economic circles) in surplus, so people would see through the charade.

It seems like the answer is to "find" a little cost over-run here and there is practically every government project.

Of course, these shortfalls most likely don't exist.  Or they have already been accounted for in various contingencies.  But they will be used to justify slashing and burning all the things the LNP don't like (such as public transport), and as an excuse to back out of promises left and right.

Mark my words.