Ministerial Statement: Transport projects taking form at Varsity Lakes

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
04/11/2008

Transport projects taking form at Varsity Lakes

A major milestone was reached today on two key transport projects for the Varsity Lakes area - the future Varsity Station Village and the $324 million Robina to Varsity Lakes Rail Extension project.

Transport Minister John Mickel said the two projects represented a real boost for Gold Coast commuters with the rail extension project currently around six months ahead of schedule and expected to be complete by late 2009.

The Minister also announced the release of the draft Master Plan for the Varsity Station Village and encouraged the Gold Coast community to have their say on the proposal.

"The Varsity Station Village project will be the first of its kind in Queensland, transforming vacant land surrounding the future Varsity Lakes rail station, into a transit hub and urban village," Mr Mickel said.

"With the Robina to Varsity Lakes Rail Extension well underway, it's now time to look to the future of the Varsity Station Village precinct.

"With the increasing cost of living and transport, it is essential to integrate public transport, with development, community facilities, employment and housing.

"The Varsity Station Village precinct will feature residential, retail and commercial buildings providing services, shops, employment and apartment style living - all in close proximity to high quality public transport."

Mr Mickel said there could be between 600 and 900 residences accommodating between 1,250 and 1,900 people; while there will also be shops and commercial space providing up to 2,500 office jobs and up to 350 retail jobs.

"The 'Village Guide - a summary of the draft Master Plan' is now available for community comment and I encourage locals to take a close look.

"The Guide explains the key elements of the draft Master Plan, providing a general picture of what the village may look like, and contains a range of information addressing previous feedback."

Mr Mickel said Queensland Transport would welcome comments and enquiries about the draft Master Plan, and those comments would be taken into consideration when finalising the Master Plan in early 2009.

"A important community event is being held on Saturday 15 November 2008, from 10.00am - 2.00pm at Hope Church Auditorium, 175 Varsity Parade, Varsity Lakes," he said.

"Other opportunities for the community to speak with the project team about the Varsity Station Village will occur at a number of events over the next four weeks."

Minister Mickel today also observed the first of 250 16 metre-long concrete roof beams being lowered into place at the new rail tunnel site at Easthill Drive at Robina.

"The project is ahead of schedule, with construction of a 300 metre cut-and-cover rail tunnel roof starting this week," he said.

"The roof is expected to be complete by March 2009 and will then be backfilled with top soil and landscaped to create a unique 'green zone' within the rail corridor.

"The entire project, including the $25 million Varsity Lakes station, will be ready for the first train by late 2009.

"For the past 12 months, controlled blasting has been carefully undertaken to remove more than 52,300 cubic metres of very hard sedimentary rock to create the cutting for the new rail tunnel, and I thank the local residents for their patience during the works," Mr Mickel said.

The Robina to Varsity Lakes Rail Extension is one of a series of projects to deliver more rail services to the Gold Coast region.

It is part of the Queensland Government's $107 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2008-2026, of which over $19 billion has been identified for rail projects.

For more information about the rail projects, please call 1800 662 240 (freecall) or visit www.qr.com.au/seqip.

For a copy of the Village Guide or to find out how you can view the village draft Master Planplease visit www.varsitystationvillage.qld.gov.au, or call the project team on 1800 031 562.

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[O_128]

Its exciting,when i move i will be seriously considering moving to varsity lakes.But i cant help but wonder what strain will be palced ont he track between coomera and helensvale?