Gold Coast light rail - Stage 3

[SurfRail]

GCB--> Gold Coast projects to be eligible for millions under restructured federal fund for regions

[SurfRail]

Not sure how long this has been up but I appear to have missed it until today:

http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/gold-coast-high-capacity-public-transport-corridor-studies-31549.html

[ozbob]

A petition has been launched to keep the light rail route away from Palm Beach @KrystalENews https://t.co/1MYxt8ePFd

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) August 27, 2016

[ozbob]

^ Errrrr  .... I think the light rail will bring a lot more people than your limited car parking will!

#justsayin'

[SurfRail]

Michael Hart is a nitwit.  He has been banging on about running trams to Varsity Lakes for years.  Fortunately GCCC don't have any time for rubbish like this and are just getting on with it.

Maybe a certain council up the road could take notes.

[LRV 018]

They managed to interview an misinformed random on the street and a whinging MP with a record of opposing trams in Palm Beach. Good 'non-biased' journalism guys!

There are many 'arguments' made in this story that are plain scaremongering and completely untrue, and that can be opposed with simply pointing a few ks up the road and saying "hey guys, works perfectly up there!". I guess it's pointless arguing with NIMBYs though, might as well argue with a brick wall.

On the flip side, news stories like this do keep the ball rolling, even if they are biased toward the whingers. Hopefully the positive momentum between Stages 1 & 2 continues onto Stage 3 so that it can become a reality in the near future!

[James]

I don't really think that part of Palm Beach has any 'vibe' at all. Plus it'll be a good 10-15 years before the tram line gets that far anyway. The line going down to Palm Beach & Elanora would probably be part of Stage 4.

Much ado about nothing really.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Plans for light rail ready to roll as council prepares to open tenders in November

PLANNING for the third stage of the city's light rail network is about to become serious, with the council preparing to call design and engineering tenders.

Local firms stand to benefit from the third-stage design project that will take the network south to the Queensland-NSW border.

The council aims to officially call tenders in November in the hope of construction starting after the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Many local firms are believed to be already preparing their bids for the $1.4 million design project, which will focus on mapping the route from Broadbeach to the Gold Coast Airport and Coolangatta.

The project will also investigate major engineering challenges and needs, including how to get around the Burleigh Headland and across Currumbin and Tallebudgera creeks, plus loss or relocation of parking and other services, such as street lights and road barriers.

Mayor Tom Tate said the tram system's southern route could be split into separate sections as part of the study.

"Council may consider that 22 kilometres in two sections — Broadbeach to Burleigh — and then Burleigh on to the airport," he said.

"We are applying value-for-money principles in planning light rail for our city and with stage two under way, it makes sense to get to tenders for the start of stage three in late 2017 or early 2018.

"That way, the expertise will be here to keep this game-changing project moving forward."

Cr Tate said he hoped to be in a position to start lobbying the federal and state governments on the stage three funding model within a year.

"We are already looking at how urban design can support the city's aim of consolidating urban population along the public transport spine extending along the Coast," he said.

"This will mean less need for people to rely on car transport and support the cost-effective operation of light rail."

The council committed funding for the project in its June budget and the route is likely to run along the Gold Coast Highway to Burleigh, with the southern connection likely to continue along the same path.

The first step towards the third stage's development was welcomed by one of the state's leading rail lobby groups.

Rail Back on Track's Steven Jamieson said the "highly ambitious" push was commendable but the State and federal governments would soon need to become involved.

"This is going to be a major state project," he said.

"The feasibility of this project must be done right because, without a good business case, we are not going to see state funding let alone from the Federal Government," he said.

"This is going to be major state project which we are absolutely in favour of and I am happy to see it starting to progress.

"A lot has been learned during the first two stages which could no doubt be put into effect to make stage three smoother."

[Stillwater]

QUOTE (today's Gold Coast Bulletin):

PLANNING for the third stage of the city's light rail network is about to become serious, with the council preparing to call design and engineering tenders.  Local firms stand to benefit from the third-stage design project that will take the network south to the Queensland-NSW border. The council aims to officially call tenders in November in the hope of construction starting after the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Many local firms are believed to be already preparing their bids for the $1.4 million design project, which will focus on mapping the route from Broadbeach to the Gold Coast Airport and Coolangatta.  The project will also investigate major engineering challenges and needs, including how to get around the Burleigh Headland and across Currumbin and Tallebudgera creeks, plus loss or relocation of parking and other services, such as street lights and road barriers.

Mayor Tom Tate said the tram system's southern route could be split into separate sections as part of the study.  "Council may consider that 22 kilometres in two sections — Broadbeach to Burleigh — and then Burleigh on to the airport," he said.

"We are applying value-for-money principles in planning light rail for our city and with stage two under way, it makes sense to get to tenders for the start of stage three in late 2017 or early 2018.

"That way, the expertise will be here to keep this game-changing project moving forward."

Is the state government adopting value-for-money principles by having a project in the pipeline that would utilise the expertise, labour and specialist machinery required to built the Redcliffe Peninsula Line?  Nope.   

This government will allow that resource to dissipate, move interstate.  The cost of the next major rail infrastructure project will be that little bit more expensive.

[#Metro]

Where would you like the tram to stop? My thoughts are run it into NSW to Tweed mall. Then it truly becomes a Federal concern and NSW can put in a bit of money too.

Europe routinely runs trains across borders. Surely a little tram can be managed?

[verbatim9]

3rd Stage goes out to Tender in November ----> http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/council/plans-for-light-rail-ready-to-roll-as-council-prepares-to-open-tenders-in-november/news-story/330c08527546025d237513b54fdc9fe2

[SurfRail]

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/deputy-premier-jackie-trad-unveils-seq-regional-plan-with-gold-coast-light-rail-and-m1-path/news-story/204abf2c4d190407c991d7952085ed9e

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Light rail to stop in front of Gold Coast Airport terminal within 20 years: Draft master plan

STEPPING off a plane and on to a sun-yellow Gold Coast tram will be a reality but not in the next five years, according to a draft masterplan released by Gold Coast Airport yesterday.

The plan outlines the next two decades of the Coolangatta precinct's development, including possible changes to flight paths and how the land in and around the airport is to be developed.

The draft rejects calls for heavy rail to the terminal, instead backing the Gold Coast City Council plan for light rail from the Gold Coast Highway into the centre of the precinct, just north of the Terminal Dr roundabout, stopping in front of the main terminal.

"It is proposed that the station be in front of the arrivals section, in the pedestrian plaza providing connectivity to the rest of the precinct," the plan said.

"This station location will achieve the most convenient access to the terminal building for passengers with luggage while providing a venture point for surrounding non-aviation developments, like the SCU or the beach.

"It is anticipated the light rail will leave the site to the southeast towards Coolangatta and Tweed Heads."

Airport chief operating officer Marion Charlton said the preliminary draft plan, which is open for public consultation for 60 days, established a framework for the future development of the airport.

"The Preliminary Draft Master Plan provides a guide to the development of airport facilities, infrastructure and land uses to meet the future requirements of the aviation industry and the community we serve for the next 20 years," she said.

"It will particularly focus on the development required over the next five years.

"Gold Coast Airport is a significant economic generator for the communities in the southeast Queensland and northern NSW regions."

A recent economic impact assessment commissioned as part of the master plan process showed the airport's direct operations contribution to the region would be $818 million in the next five years.

By 2037, it was anticipated that contribution would increase to $2.3 billion.

"We are taking a proactive approach to delivering world-class aviation facilities with an integrated ground transport system that considers the road network, parking, public transport and pedestrian and cycling access to create a dynamic transport hub for the region," Ms Charlton said.

Six community drop-in sessions are to be held for the public to have a say on the plan.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> New Gold Coast Airport on line

CONNECTING the Gold Coast Airport with rail-based transport is set to become a reality.

Stepping off a plane and on to a sun-yellow Gold Coast tram will be a reality but not in the next five years, according to a draft master plan released by Gold Coast Airport last month.

The plan outlines the next two decades of the Coolangatta precinct's development, including possible changes to flight paths and how the land in and around the airport is to be developed.

The draft rejects calls for heavy rail, instead backing the Gold Coast City Council plan for light rail from the Gold Coast Highway to the centre of the precinct, just north of the Terminal Drive roundabout, stopping in front of the main terminal.

"It is proposed that the station be in front of the arrivals section, in the pedestrian plaza, providing connectivity to the rest of the precinct," the plan said.

"This station location will achieve the most convenient access to the terminal for passengers with luggage while providing a venture point for surrounding non-aviation developments, like the Southern Cross University or the beach.

"It is anticipated the light rail will leave the site to the southeast towards Coolangatta and Tweed Heads."

This plan, if realised, would be the culmination of a dream going back more than 15 years.

In May 2001 the Gold Coast Airport unveiled its final masterplan for its 21st century upgrade, which was to take the complex away from its regional routes into a "multi-modal transit centre".

A proposed 500m extension to the 2000m runway was to allow aircraft already using the airport to fly to Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong for the first time.

Gold Coast Airport Ltd general manager Dennis Chant told media he was confident the plan would win the crucial support of Federal Transport Minister John Anderson.

He said the proposed extension would stay within the airport boundary to satisfy Tweed Council and residents' groups worried about the loss of recreational land and noise pollution.

The revised plan also included detailed concepts of a major multi-modal transit centre to integrate long-haul air, rail, and road modes with local transport systems.

It was designed to connect a heavy rail line from Robina and a light-rail concept which had been proposed by the Gold Coast City Council.

"We had to accelerate the planning process for this centre because the Queensland Government is already doing the route planning for the Robina rail link," he said.

The plans show a proposed elevated platform which would carry the heavy rail straight to the airport's arrival and departure lounges.

A light rail connection was to run to outside the complex in a similar location to where the future route will go.

Passengers would have stepped off the trams and into a shopping plaza which was to be incorporated into the airport.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast Council to spend $1.4 million on feasibility studies for light rail to Coolangatta

GOLD Coast council will spend more than $1.4 million conducting feasibility studies and designing the third stage of the light rail project.

The third stage, which will run from Broadbeach to Coolangatta, will be split into two sections, the first ending at Burleigh.

Council decided to split the section to increase the chance of receiving federal or state help for the transport route, which is expected to cost about $1.5 billion.

Final costings are expected to be released once the feasibility studies and design work has been completed.

The council has released a tender for the design work and feasibility study for the first half of the third stage and the documents set a deadline of June 30 next year to have the work completed.

Maps provided in the tender show the light rail will continue south along the Gold Coast highway until it reaches Bilinga where it will veer towards the airport before heading back into Coolangatta.

The documents show the third stage will not be the final extension of the light rail.

"The (Gold Coast City Transport) Strategy also identifies a number of other light rail routes for future consideration including Nobby Beach to Robina Town Centre, Surfers Paradise to Bundall, Main Beach to The Spit and Parklands to Biggera Waters," the documents read.

The documents call for the design of the route to Burleigh, including traffic solutions for intersections.

This section is expected to be one of the easier sections to design as it follows the Gold Coast Highway along a relatively flat section with no bridges to cross.

The tender documents reveal the location of stations will be decided after community consultation to take place in April next year.

Mayor Tom Tate said council were yet to ask the state and federal governments for funding support, a conversation which will dictate when the third stage is built.

"(Construction will begin) once we secure state and federal support," he said. "It is too early to commit to a funding model for that section."

Based on the funding models used in the first two stages, the council will have to contribute about 11 per cent of the total cost.

Cr Tate said the council was focusing on the route mapping and financial analysis at this stage.

He said council would make a decision on the route at some point next year after the mapping had been completed.

[verbatim9]

I like to comments embedded in the article. There is a call for heavy Rail to be built to Coolangatta Airport prior to light rail which makes sense especially with the expansion of flights from OOL. Many people from the South side of Brisbane could use OOL as a viable alternative if  trains were running within the next 5 years.

[ozbob]

Plans to extend Gold Coast light rail on track, but Broadwater dredging is bogged down. @TomHartley_7 #7News https://t.co/uqvUCF1mOe

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) November 22, 2016

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Developers getting in early on the southern Gold Coast in anticipation of tram line

THE Gold Coast light rail system is rolling out the red carpet for billions of dollars worth of development along the coastal strip from the booming hub of Broadbeach to Palm Beach.

The "Midas touch" of the trams has sparked a rolling wave of construction far beyond the current terminus at Pacific Fair.

Developers are preparing to cash-in on the eventual extension of the network to Gold Coast Airport, with construction of the Broadbeach to Burleigh section expected to begin by 2020.

The number of development applications in the Broadbeach area has spiked 69 per cent in the past five years, with more than 3000 new construction jobs created on more than $1 billion of active development in the past year.

Further south, the number of development applications for Palm Beach and Burleigh jumped by more than 40 per cent in just the past year and include a mixture of residential and commercial projects.

UDIA state president and Gold Coast Light Rail Business Advisory Group chairman Stephen Harrison said the recent wave of development applications was just the beginning.

"That route (south to the border) is the next stage of urban renewal or the Gold Coast," he said.

"People have seen the results of the first stage and with the second underway and third being planned, they are not waiting.

"Developers and other people are making financial investments right now in the future of the coastal strip and are being smarter about investing around infrastructure.

"The activity in Broadbeach, Burleigh and Palm Beach does not surprise me because those southern suburbs are hot spots, coming off a low level of projects."

There have been 81 projects proposed for Burleigh Heads, including the Velocity Development group's multimillion-dollar ONE Burleigh Headland project, a high-end four-level apartment complex which will have just nine units.

Other new projects planned for the area include a series of new eateries, restaurants, childcare centres, gyms and high-density unit buildings.

In Palm Beach, Sunland's $136 million Magnoli Residences development on the site of the suburb's former caravan park leads the 93 projects proposed in the past year.

Another is a six-storey mid-rise tower on the corner of Third Ave and Gold Coast Highway, a 112-unit complex and a mixed-use high-density "cafe mansion" which includes both a luxury four-bedroom unit and a coffee shop.

Velocity is also planning a $35 million tower in Palm Beach.

All are directly on or within walking distance of the expected light rail route.

Hundreds of construction and manufacturing jobs are expected to be created in the next five years.

Among the projects underway or newly completed in Broadbeach are the $850 million expansion of Jupiters Hotel and Casino, the $71 million Synergy tower, the $100 million Qube and $13 million Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club redevelopment.

The $150 million, 35-level Avani Hotel will open in early 2018.

Pacific Fair's $650 million upgrade was recently completed.

Broadbeach councillor Paul Taylor has lofty plans for the suburb.

"We are a more family friendly place and we are seeing a new change come through with the upgrade of the surf club, the casino expansion and renovation and the top-class restaurants we already have on offer," he said.

"We are trying to make this the restaurant capital of Australia."

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> A new study reveals the divide on whether trams should head west or along the Glitter Strip coastline

THE best route for the third stage of light rail is along the coastline but it will come at a significant cost in terms of property resumptions and extensive earthworks, according to a new study.

Research by the Queensland University of Technology science and engineering facility for Burleigh MP Michael Hart weighed up factors like nearby homes to the track, the width of the highway to accommodate trams and environmental impact of bridges.

"The most viable route would be the coastal route with the western route falling short by just one point," the report said.

A direct tram route between Broadbeach and Coolangatta would create a "a rapid transit spine" delivering the shortest and fastest link between the airport and major tourism centres of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

But the route would create key constraints like the crossing of Burleigh Hill and Tallebudgera Creek which require "extensive earthworks to widen and flatten the alignment".

"Earthworks and bridge construction also pose great environmental risk to sensitive ecosystems, requiring expensive mitigation strategies," the report said.

The first stage of light rail from Broadbeach to Parklands required 40m of road reserves to accommodate dual tram tracks and four traffic lanes.

The new report found the Gold Coast Highway is a major constraint with a road width of 30m forcing properties to be resumed on either side at "significant costs".

"This narrow corridor does not allow for significant parking and park'n'ride facilities near stations," the report said.

One of the proposed western routes is along Reedy Creek Road west from Burleigh to the heavy rail station at Varsity Lakes and south along the heavy rail corridor by the Pacific Motorway to the airport.

More space is available on the western route around stations for park'n'ride facilities but the downside will be a longer journey and Boral operating a quarry in the path of the rail route.

"Use of the corridor is dependent upon the timing of this lease's expiry," the report said.

One of the challenges for the four researchers — Allie Somerwil, Peter Davis, Catherine O'Neill and Rachel Pegg — was the lack of updated census data which could show stronger population growth around the western route.

"Because the analysis conducted in this study did not focus on economic viability, it is recommended that this study is followed by a financial analysis of each route," the report said.

Mr Hart said he was unsure about the number of property resumptions at Tallebudgera Creek and Palm Beach with speculation up to 100 homes could be acquired.

"It's no good just connecting up what's the quickest route to the airport. I've shot this study off to the Mayor's office and he's sent it to (engineering services director) Alton Twine," Mr Hart said.

Burleigh MP Michael Hart is supported by area councillor Daphne McDonald on the western route being the preferred link for the southern light rail.

"Given GoldLinq says the catchment area is between 400 metres to 800 metres, if you put the light rail down past Palm Beach, 400 metres is out in the ocean.

"There's no one living there. The western route can pick up a lot more people than the coastal route."

Council sources suggest officers favour a coastal route even if it diverts in sections one street west of the Gold Coast Highway.

Palm Beach-based city councillor Daphne McDonald said one of her major concerns was resumption of properties and use of valuable parkland along with sporting fields for stations on a coastal route.

"I agree with Michael. I've been expressing my concerns for a long time now. They only look at what's the best route. There's a human cost," she said.

[James]

Duplicating the heavy rail with LRT would be beyond dumb. The heavy rail corridor is needed right along the M1 to compete with the sheer speed of the car on that corridor. The heavy rail is there to provide a fast link between the suburban centres of the Gold Coast and onwards to Brisbane, the light rail is there for local journeys along the GC Highway corridor.

If you were worried about catchment area along the GC Highway south of Palm Beach, surely one would be similarly concerned about the similarly small LRT catchment area in Currumbin, Tugun and Bilinga. You'd probably turn the LRT inland to head towards the proposed Tallebudgera station at Exit 89 (West Burleigh Rd). Provided you had an easy transfer, the time saved by using the train would offset the 'cost' of transferring from train to tram at either Tallebudgera or Elanora, if you took the LRT that extra mile or so to connect to the shopping centre.

Personally, I'd much rather see LRT go all the way to Coolangatta/GC Airport.

[verbatim9]

^^I agree more focus should be on extending Heavy rail. But prefer heavy Rail to Coolangatta Airport and beyond. LRT can't compete too slow. But not discredit LRT better for shorter trips than longer ones. Still agree both modes should go to the Airport. Then LRT extended into the Tweed and Heavy Rail extended to Ballina.

[SurfRail]

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/lifestyle/gold-coast-light-rail-bosses-hint-at-burleigh-hill-tunnel-proposal-as-one-of-the-favourite-options-for-stage-three/news-story/efbc5b4d5c078a7d82b7183a54d116dd&ved=0ahUKEwi6xeGb1qLSAhXBJpQKHX-4AmsQqQIIGSgBMAA&usg=AFQjCNEkX-9uUA3yFZm91lp3oBUO3bjbPQ&sig2=OWCrmtoNamarrYiH_VqdSg

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.4tofm.com.au/news/gold-coast/light-rail-might-have-to-take-the-long-way-around/&ved=0ahUKEwiz8ZPa1qLSAhWCNJQKHbqtDMsQFgggMAI&usg=AFQjCNHC_vURevkLvdVfA9rO31vPuju1og&sig2=YxfyIH3jX8Id4dz3KT6VCw

Unbelievable nonsense from the local member.

[#Metro]

It's just NIMBY.

Next thing there will be a 'Save Burleigh' group pop up or 'Stop Light Rail' thing.

A tunnel is low impact because it is underground.

Sending it 'around the back' would mean going through David Fleay conservation park or terminating the LRT at Robina.

Can't see that happening, and it would be millions more in cost.

A solution for this is to have the tunnel - or if the local MP wants the tram line to "go around" pay the difference by levying a tax on properties in the MPs electorate to fund the difference in project cost.

6 km to rail corridor x 50  million / km = $300 million levy required.

[verbatim9]

Always backlash at first then court cases that increase costs. Tunnel goes ahead delayed by beauracrats but then cost more to complete.

[SurfRail]

It's far from apparent that a tunnel is actually needed to begin with.

A lot more work needs to be done to work out the potential alignments through here, suffice to say that going via Varsity Lakes is NOT one of them.

[SurfRail]

Also just located this from Ken Deutscher, who is the GCCC transport boss (and had a lot of input into the original work undertake before light rail became a reality).  I expect this was presented at the ARA Light Rail Conference taking place yesterday and today in town.

https://www.slideshare.net/informaoz/ken-deutscher-city-of-gold-coast-72435688

[ozbob]

Mayor Tom Tate has ruled out any plans to tunnel under Burleigh Headland for the light rail

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/834531486409781249

[verbatim9]

Tunnels are built under mountains in Switzerland all the time, works ok. Visually, tunnels can work and have a less of an impact on the surrounding environment, especially for light rail. Tunneling was contraversial in Seattle as well for LRT,  then it went ahead as it was the best viable option. Very successful all round as a end result. With the amount of vehicle pollution and the visual impact of buildings around Burleigh I am surprised people are making such a fuss regarding a LRT tunnel. It's not like it needs venting chimneys like road tunnels.

[James]

Digging a tunnel may actually not be a bad solution. It doesn't have to go right through Burleigh Heads National Park at all. In fact, what you might do is go cut-and-cover from around the Burleigh Tourist Park to Ikkina Rd, and then have the LRT run on a bridge beside the road.

It doesn't have to go straight through Burleigh Heads and through the Tallebudgera surf club - and I think a lot of the media hype is trying to imply something like that will happen. Widening the existing cutting could also be done without too much impact.

[SurfRail]

I suspect the latter is what will happen.

A tunnel would provide a (marginally) faster travel time and superior alignment, but I sincerely doubt it would be cheaper than having to widen the highway slightly in places.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Revealed: Gold Coast light rail's Stage 3A to run from Broadbeach to central Burleigh Heads

THE light rail's next stop will be Burleigh, with plans for a $600 million connection from Broadbeach set to take trams along the beachfront.

Under plans being formulated by city leaders, light rail "Stage 3A" will roll out following the 2018 Commonwealth Games and will take one of two routes ended in central Burleigh Heads.

The routes, which will be put to the public through a community consultation process include:

    Down the Gold Coast Highway with a series of stops, terminating in the central business district.
    Down the Gold Coast Highway before turning east at Kratzmann Ave to North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Club and continuing south on The Esplanade before terminating at Burleigh Heads.

The proposed extension of the route is expected to go before city leaders within a fortnight and will go out to public consultation for three months from June.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate confirmed the plans and said the staged rollout of the southern leg would offer a "value for money" solution.

"I believe the Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads option is the most viable and affordable route," he said.

"At Burleigh the mode of transport will change and people will take the bus down to the airport before they too are eventually replaced by the future stage.

"At Burleigh Heads I also anticipate having a multi-level council carpark so people can go there, park and hop on to the rail which will be able to take them all the way to Helensvale or down to Burleigh by bus."

The council have called tenders for "business case advice" for Stage 3A which closes on April 11.

The Bulletin understands the splitting of stage three into two sections was determined to be more feasible and would give engineers longer to determine the easiest way of getting the tram around Burleigh Headland and across Tallebudgera.

Stage 3B will run from Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta stretch of the line.

Funding for Stage 3A is expected to be discussed during the upcoming budget deliberations.

More than $1.4 million has been spent in the past financial year by city hall to investigate the light rail's future southern route.

Construction of stage two is moving rapidly, between Griffith University and Helensvale, with the first trams set to run along the route by the end of the year.

The northern extension, which connect with heavy rail at the Helensvale transport hub, will open to the public early next year before the Games.

[ozbob]

Trams to make tracks for the beach > https://t.co/gJvWz5pkof #qldpol #lightrail
surging ...

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 19, 2017

[SurfRail]

Splitting third Gold Coast stage will be cheaper: Mayor

Gold Coast City Council has put out the tender for a business case for the first half of the third stage of the Gold Coast Light Rail line.

A Request for Tender appeared on Queensland's local government website on March 18.

The plan would extend the existing line south from its existing terminus at Broadbeach South.

The council says it wants to prepare "a robust Preliminary Business Case for Stage 3A of the Gold Coast Light Rail and Urban Corridor project from Broadbeach South to an interim terminus at Burleigh Heads town centre".

Stage 1 of the Gold Coast Light Rail line was opened on July 20, 2014, and connects Gold Coast University Hospital, in the north, to Broadbeach, in the south.

Stage 2 of the line, which is currently under construction, will extend the line from the Hospital to the heavy rail line at Helensvale station.

Stage 3A would be the first half of the third stage of the project, with Stage 3B to eventually extend the line all the way to the Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta.

Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate reportedly believes a two-part plan for Stage 3 of the project will prove cost-efficient.

"I believe the Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads option is the most viable and affordable route," Tate was quoted as saying by the Gold Coast Bulletin.

"At Burleigh the mode of transport will change and people will take the bus down to the airport before they too are eventually replaced by the future stage.

"At Burleigh Heads I also anticipate having a multi-level council carpark so people can go there, park and hop on to the rail which will be able to take them all the way to Helensvale or down to Burleigh by bus."

The Council's Request for Tender is open until April 11.

[ozbob]

Tate reflects on five mayoral years > https://t.co/gxU1NBj7Qz #qldpol

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 30, 2017

[ozbob]

Sunday Mail 4th June 2017 page 19

Council releases plans for light rail expansion





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

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast City Council releases plans for light rail expansion

[ozbob]

#GoldCoast Mayor Tom Tate to confirm Gold Coast Light Rail stage 3 route https://t.co/xbkuoOnlAx

— Gold Coast Bulletin (@GCBulletin) June 3, 2017

[SurfRail]

https://gchaveyoursay.com.au/lightrailtoburleigh

Will look at this and revert.

[Cazza]

I feel like Option A is a better option just because of its location-close to the beach and local shops with easy access by traffic signals. It is also in a central location whereas I feel that Option B is tucked away a bit too much.

[SurfRail]

I agree.  A is much better sited, involves much less in the way of construction impact, has less impact on traffic with fewer crossing moves required and removes less parking.

B's only saving grace is that it involved better cross-platform interchange to buses, but that alone isn't going to be a big deal.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A newsletter (1.97 MB) (pdf)

Station Option A (1.5 MB) (PDF)




Station Option B (1.5 MB) (PDF)