Gold Coast heavy rail extensions, new stations etc.

[verbatim9]

Loganlea station to be relocated 350m Se East

Couriermail Quest------->https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/logan/18m-loganlea-station-upgrade-shelved-as-state-haggles-over-plans-to-move-entire-station/news-story/32560758b1d5c4fc3109085b9abd1740

$18m Loganlea station upgrade shelved as state haggles over plans to move entire station

An entire Brisbane train station could be relocated after an $18 million upgrade to the busy hub was temporarily shelved over a wheelchair access issue.

Judith Kerr, Quest Newspapers

Subscriber only


September 5, 2019 5:30am

Loganlea train station. Picture: Elise Searson

AN $18 million upgrade to a busy southside train station has been temporarily shelved while the state government decides whether to move the entire station.

The state government said it would not spend the money on building wheelchair access at Loganlea train station and instead was planning to move the station 350m east to align with the front door of the Logan Hospital.

The state wrote to the Morrison government last month to ask it to fund the project following discussions on Inland Rail.

The state said the move was needed as Loganlea station was on a bend making it difficult to increase the line's capacity or upgrade for faster services.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said there was no point paying for the upgrade if the station was going to be moved.

He said the move would improve access for commuters and pave the way to upgrade the passenger line between Kuraby and Beenleigh.

"The federal government says it wants faster rail for the southeast and the relocation of Loganlea station is an important step," he said.

"We know council is supportive of this proposal, and I'm hopeful the federal government will agree to fund it."


There are plans to move the Loganlea train station on the left of the picture 350m east to the front of the Logan Hospital where the red marker is.

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said the state government needed to stump up the money and commit to the upgrade.

"There's no reason the upgrade and the move can't be done simultaneously and independently of the Kuraby to Beenleigh line upgrade," he said.

State Opposition Transport spokesman Steve Minnikin said it was another state government "rail fail".

"It has completely disappeared from the budget and now the whole project may be redundant because of Cross River Rail," Mr Minnikin said.

"Labor is taking Logan for granted by promising this project before an election and then scrapping it after."

The $18 million was promised before the 2017 election to fit out the Loganlea train station with lifts and wheelchair access.

It was then allocated in the 2018-19 budget but disappeared from this year's Budget Capital Statement tabled in June.

Waterford MP Shannon Fentiman and Logan resident and commuter Kathryn Lyons at Loganlea train station.

Two months ago, the State Government and Waterford MP Shannon Fentiman said the $18 million Loganlea train station upgrade was on track, despite the Opposition declaring it a broken election promise.

Ms Fentiman said as soon as funding was agreed on, planning for the station's relocation would start.

[#Metro]

And not appease the LNP-held electorates of Coomera, Theodore and Broadwater? Not to mention that the very marginal ALP-held Gaven is one of the seats the LNP will be targeting to win Government.

I'm confident Blue Team can pick up all of those without having to promise a rail station. M1 upgrades/duplication/interchange works seems to be very popular... they will just pick the nearest interchange/ramp and promise to widen it. Seems to work... 

[Stillwater]

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority reportedly is involved in the planning of new railway stations on the GC Line further south. And not here?  What is the division of labour and responsibility between QR, the Delivery Authority, Federal Government, State Government and Inland Rail?  Pollies seem to want to maintain the confusion so all can have a finger in the pie.  Clearly QR is responsible, but Mr Bailey increasingly wants to delay every major project while he has a fight over funding. The pattern emerging is to look the gift horse in the mouth -- frustrate every project the feds agree to fund partially so that their political promise does not eventuate (thereby denying the feds kudos and cred with the community) while putting forwards his own (unfunded) proposals that are years away because their business case has yet to start. And call upon the feds to fund those. Result - stalemate.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Tmr is responsible as the crr authority is a part of tmr. Tmr are pretty much handling all major projects since the restructuring. QR are pretty much consultants for what someone else wants to and will do to their network as opposed to qr saying what should be done. For example we saw this with L2P with NWTC provisions being removed from qr plans to cut project costs.

[ozbob]

Tmr is responsible as the crr authority is a part of tmr. Tmr are pretty much handling all major projects since the restructuring. QR are pretty much consultants for what someone else wants to and will do to their network as opposed to qr saying what should be done. For example we saw this with L2P with NWTC provisions being removed from qr plans to cut project costs.

I have no confidence in TMR, especially when you look at the debacles they have delivered ..

[HappyTrainGuy]

delivered.... and continuing to deliver  :conf

Stillwater.

Inland rail is state government and federal government project that will be delivered and looked after by the ARTC. QR has little to do other than when it joins their corridor.

CRR is funded by state government and is being managed/delivered by TMR. QR are acting as consultants with limited input.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/9/13/state-forges-ahead-with-three-new-train-stations-on-the-gold-coast

Media Statements

Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Kate Jones

Friday, September 13, 2019

State forges ahead with three new train stations on the Gold Coast

The State Government has today revealed the preferred location for the first of three Gold Coast train stations that will be delivered as part of the Cross River Rail Project.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones inspected the site at Pimpama, where a new station will be delivered as part of the Palaszczuk Government's $120 million commitment for three new Gold Coast railway stations at Pimpama, Helensvale North and Merrimac/Worongary.

The Minister responsible for delivering Cross River Rail also announced the government would start a month of thorough community consultation in October.

"The Gold Coast is one of the fastest growing cities in Australia. These new stations are an important part of our commitment to improving public transport on the Coast," Ms Jones.

"The government's number one priority is to create jobs. This project won't just create jobs during construction but will support Gold Coasters who need to travel for work each day.

"With the population expected to grow by an extra 350,000 residents over the next 25 years, better public transport is crucial on the Gold Coast."

Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister and Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said patronage on the Gold Coast line had grown by more than five per cent for the past five years – with over 5.8 million trips in the past 12 months.

"This is a great win for Gold Coasters. Through Cross River Rail, we're creating an extra 3150 seats. This means trains to Brisbane will leave as regularly as every five minutes during the morning peak period," she said.

"We promised to deliver these stations during the election and today's announcement proves we're honouring that commitment.

"The Newman Government took the Gold Coast for granted when it came to public transport. In stark contrast, we're investing in new infrastructure that will create jobs and make it easier for locals to get from A to B."

Ms Scanlon said the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority was working with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Translink to develop the early planning work for the new stations.

"Next month a period of public consultation will begin to get the community's feedback on the proposed concept station design," she said.

"We want to hear from Gold Coasters about what they want to see at these stations.

ENDS

[verbatim9]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/9/13/state-forges-ahead-with-three-new-train-stations-on-the-gold-coast

Media Statements

Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Kate Jones

Friday, September 13, 2019

State forges ahead with three new train stations on the Gold Coast

The State Government has today revealed the preferred location for the first of three Gold Coast train stations that will be delivered as part of the Cross River Rail Project.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones inspected the site at Pimpama, where a new station will be delivered as part of the Palaszczuk Government's $120 million commitment for three new Gold Coast railway stations at Pimpama, Helensvale North and Merrimac/Worongary.

The Minister responsible for delivering Cross River Rail also announced the government would start a month of thorough community consultation in October.

"The Gold Coast is one of the fastest growing cities in Australia. These new stations are an important part of our commitment to improving public transport on the Coast," Ms Jones.

"The government's number one priority is to create jobs. This project won't just create jobs during construction but will support Gold Coasters who need to travel for work each day.

"With the population expected to grow by an extra 350,000 residents over the next 25 years, better public transport is crucial on the Gold Coast."

Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister and Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said patronage on the Gold Coast line had grown by more than five per cent for the past five years – with over 5.8 million trips in the past 12 months.

"This is a great win for Gold Coasters. Through Cross River Rail, we're creating an extra 3150 seats. This means trains to Brisbane will leave as regularly as every five minutes during the morning peak period," she said.

"We promised to deliver these stations during the election and today's announcement proves we're honouring that commitment.

"The Newman Government took the Gold Coast for granted when it came to public transport. In stark contrast, we're investing in new infrastructure that will create jobs and make it easier for locals to get from A to B."

Ms Scanlon said the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority was working with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Translink to develop the early planning work for the new stations.

"Next month a period of public consultation will begin to get the community's feedback on the proposed concept station design," she said.

"We want to hear from Gold Coasters about what they want to see at these stations.

ENDS

I knew they would announce something like this as a vote grabbing exercise.

[ozbob]

Cross River Rail - Gold Coast - Proposed New Stations

https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/stations-routes/gold-coast-line/

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Gold Coast transport: First look at Pimpama Railway Station.


The block of land south of the Pimpama City Shopping Centre where the station will be built. Picture Glenn Hampson


Artist impression of the Pimpama railway station on the Gold Coast.

The first images of the Gold Coast's next railway station have been unveiled by the State Government. Here's when you'll be boarding trains from its platforms.

THE early design for the planned Pimpama railway station has been released.

Artist's impressions show the railway station will connect to both the Gainsborough Greens residential estate in the suburb's east and close to the neighbouring Pimpama City Shopping Centre in the west.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones, who is responsible for the delivery of the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project, announced details of the project yesterday.

"We have already heard one of the key things we need is significant capacity for parking," she said. "That's why this site was chosen. We've listened to the local community and where we've landed is a highly connected site."

Ms Jones said the Government would launch major community consultation and encouraged residents to provide input on the station design.

Deputy Mayor and area councillor Donna Gates welcomed the announcement.

"The area has been growing at 30 per cent year on year," Cr Gates said.

"I applaud the State Government's decision. They've actually nailed it in selecting this site. They had some land a little further down to the south that wasn't as well connected as this site."

Cr Gates said the Pimpama station would ease the demands on the nearest station at Ormeau.

"The Ormeau station is at capacity. People can't find anywhere to park there. This new site is going to have ample parking, it is the best location for Pimpama and ongoing growth in this area," she said.

"We know that this area is going to, in the next 15 years, have 167,000 more people. It's a lot of people. We need to get them off the M1 and on to public transport."

Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said the new Pimpama, Merrimac and North Helensvale stations, being built at a cost of $120 million, were not the only reasons why the Cross River Rail project was of benefit to Coast commuters.

The new 10.2km rail line from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills which includes twin tunnels under the Brisbane River will resolve one of the state's biggest transport bottlenecks allowing for more services on the Coast to Brisbane line from 2024.

"Cross River rail will allow trains to run more often in peak hours up to five minutes," she said. "It's up to a 15-minute reduction in travel time. It means more seats. This about getting more people on public transport, so they can to and from work quicker, and get home sooner."

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1172378152712015872

[ozbob]

Looks like around 240 car parking spaces ...

No sign of feeder buses ..

Continuation of the now well exampled SEQ park 'n' ride centric half baked failure model. 

We can only hope that the platforms will be full height full length ...

[dancingmongoose]

They announce this as if the land hasn't been reserved for the station for the past 10-15 years...

If it was up to me, I'd also close Ormeau and build a new station on Eggersdorf Road.  The current one is basically in the wrong spot.

Agree with a lot of the sentiment around Ormeau station. It serves neither Ormeau or Pimpama, and a station at Jacobs Ridge would be way better.

[SurfRail]

It actually looks like it's further north of the site I was expecting, which was south of the bridge to nowhere, although the siting for this is more sensible as it is much closer to the shopping centre. 

The design seems to have room for an interchange - based on their design hierarchy I expect the road lanes closest to the platforms would be the bus stops.

My real problem is that this only appears to be about 2.5km down the line from Ormeau at most, vs about 4.5km to Coomera. 

I would honestly love Ormeau to be closed if they build a new station at Eggersdorf Rd.  That makes a lot of problems go away.  You wouldn't even describe it as a "closure", just a "relocation".  Unfortunately they are increasing the parking availability so that likely won't happen.

[verbatim9]

Three new train stations will be built on the Gold Coast. @anniepullar #9News https://t.co/B3BalPlDoj

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1172422025165459462

[#Metro]

I think the funds spent on this project would be far better spent on extending the LRT.

It would be interesting to see what the impact additional stations would have on the overall speed and journey times if the GC line were

upgraded to ~ 160 km/hr regional rapid rail.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Pimpama railway station: Build it now rather than 2024 and people will come

THE State Government is under pressure to build the Pimpama railway station immediately rather than wait for Cross River Rail to be completed in 2024.

The Bulletin on Friday revealed the station designs after Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones, who is responsible for the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project, visited the site just south of the Pimpama City Shopping Centre.

Shopping centre owner Norm Rix, one of the city's most experienced developers, welcomed the announcement but asked the Government to bring forward the capital works program.

"This is the start to bring the services in the northern end of the Gold Coast that are desperately required," Mr Rix told the Bulletin.

"The railway station will help decrease the congestion at roundabouts and the Pacific Motorway. I had hoped the Government may see the necessity for immediately acting on this study."

Mr Rix had earlier offered to build the station in a deal with the Government and his research suggests it could be built within 18 months and opened by late next year.

The Government is committed to public consultation on the station design and yet to put a timeline on the project which transport officers want ready for the opening of Cross River Rail.

"It's got to be realised that this area is growing at 30 per cent each year. Just imagine what it is going to be like in four or five years," Mr Rix said.

"The Government has to make an exception and get on with this immediately. Surely there is money in the budget. I'm saying it will probably take a year to build it. We should have a railway station up and running by the end of next year."

Until the new station opens, Pimpama rail commuters will continue to drive to Coomera station where overcrowding is a major problem at its car park.

Mr Rix has warned the car park design for Pimpama railway station, which would be built on his land, should be expanded.

"Obviously they will starting at 250 car parks. I believe it should be 500 car spaces. Especially if they're not building it for another five years."

Ms Jones has welcomed the comments by Mr Rix and encouraged the business leader and other community stakeholders to make submissions during public consultation.

"We're investing $120 million to build three new stations on the Gold Coast rail line, including a new station at Pimpama. We are keen to work with Norm to get the best outcome for the Pimpama community," Ms Jones said.

"As a property developer in the area, Norm knows how important transport infrastructure is when it comes to growing a city. Norm has also been quite open about his plans for future projects in Pimpama. That's why he's so keen to see the Government investing in this community. It will be great to see what Norm delivers."

Cross River Rail is 10.2km rail line from Dutton Park in Brisbane's south to Bowen Hills, which will include twin tunnels under the Brisbane River.

The project will fix a huge bottleneck for Coast trains heading into the CBD, allowing more services and up to a 15-minute reduction in travel time.

Bureaucrats have argued that the congestion has prevented the Coast building more stations.

[Gazza]

I think the funds spent on this project would be far better spent on extending the LRT.

It would be interesting to see what the impact additional stations would have on the overall speed and journey times if the GC line were

upgraded to ~ 160 km/hr regional rapid rail.

It's not an either or thing mate.
All parts of the Gold Coast need better PT, and it is simply not reasonable to have new residential areas with 10s of thousands of residents who are permanently locked into an ardous feeder bus ride of 7km or more just to get to a damn station. Even if you ran such a bus route at insane frequency, it would never be as popular as say a 2-3km long ride, and getting onto a train that does 140km/h several minutes sooner.

Even your poster boy Perth has added infill stations on the Mandurah line at Aubin Grove, (and soon Karnup) where new communities have grown and it makes sense.

The original design of the GC line was not done by gods whos work cannot be touched.

[#Metro]

LRT is absolutely higher priority, and should be fully funded first as priority.

[Gazza]

Perhaps, I mean the LRT extension to Burleigh will offer the highest boost in patronage.
But it's a $700m project, and the new station at Pimpama is only $40m, and we cant just drop everything and do nothing else anywhere until LRT 3A comes.

We should able to easily fund both really, and forget the argy bargy with the Feds.

The other two stations are less urgent, and in fact, building it now will SAVE money by deferring the need to upgrade the M1 exits and roundabouts in the area.

[SurfRail]

I'm going to have to turn my mind to what the bus network looks like with all 3 stations open.

I would suggest

- Merrimac will likely have the least change unless there is a new route planned linking Nerang, Highland Park and the developments proposed due south in Worongary with Merrimac.  The 2 existing routes would probably just serve the station.
- Hope Island will probably involve the most change, there is enormous potential to feed into the rail network from Oxenford, Hope Island, Sanctuary Cove, the northern parts of Helensvale and even as far afield as Paradise Point.  Concomitant changes to the network around Coomera and Helensvale as well, you might end up with routes like the 723 and 725 being chopped up a bit.
- For Pimpama I'd probably extend the 728 and 729 down to Pimpama from Ormeau, with the 721 and 722 (and any future routes in the area) going no further than Pimpama.  There's no point sending them a few km further up the road just for another rail connection, and Pimpama is a more useful destination for people coming from further north of Ormeau than Ormeau station itself.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

19th September 2019

Action needed on Pimpama railway station now

RAIL Back on Track supports calls to expedite the construction of a new railway station at Pimpama (1).
Currently the station is not due to open till 2024, and it is not reasonable to expect residents to put up with an already bad situation for another two terms of government.

It's a perfect storm of transport dysfunction in the Northern Gold Coast. Motorway exits and service roads that are clogged, with no alternatives.

On top of that arguably the worst bus routes in SEQ. They come once an hour and stop running before 7pm (Even earlier on weekends).  Residents petitioned to have this improved but the state government won't budge on that either.

The government has been reluctant to build any new stations or extend the line to Coolangatta prior to Cross River Rail being open. Their reasoning is a fear the Gold Coast trains would become too crowded without the additional capacity through the city from the tunnel. But in reality all that policy has done is cause the roads to become crowded and congested instead.

It wouldn't be the end of the world if Pimpama station was opened before the others, and give residents in these growth areas the opportunity to escape traffic congestion and avoid the necessity of extra cars per household.
A slightly crowded train is better than none at all.

Furthermore, M1 traffic congestion also occurs southbound every morning, with more and more residents working in the Gold Coast proper rather than commuting to Brisbane.

A rail station at Pimpama would allow residents to travel to Helensvale via train and connect with the light rail.

A new station would save money by taking cars off the road and deferring the need to upgrade M1 exits in the area.

Delaying the station will also result in poorer, more car oriented development outcomes in the area, when we have the chance to get it right.

Contacts:

Gavin Seipelt
Southern Region Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track

Steven Jamieson
Gold Coast Region Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org


1. Gold Coast Bulletin --> Pimpama railway station: Build it now rather than 2024 and people will come
https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/council/pimpama-railway-station-build-it-now-rather-than-2024-and-people-will-come/news-story/5a7fa8eb47a542f05ae95389a4e85c68

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1174446410944483328

[ozbob]

Facebook

[#Metro]

I remember reading in a TMR document that the GC line is full.

Hence, if the station were built, the passengers could not get on the train in the peak hour.

The natural reaction would be to then add extra trains to the timetable, however, there is no capacity to do that until CRR is opened.

[SurfRail]

The line isn't "full" full in the peak directions yet, and it certainly isn't full heading counter Brisbane peak.

We will eventually need 15 minute headways even if it is just Ormeau and south by having 30 minute headway local trips slotted in.  Most of the travel demand isn't necessarily for journeys heading north and back.

[ozbob]

The thought has occurred that the Gold Coast is going to need two tier services eventually - express and local all stoppers' maybe even shuttles.  It might be time to argue that any new stations should be built with side platforms on loops, allowing express running through on the mainlines.  It would be a little more expensive obviously with points and signalling but will future proof.

[HappyTrainGuy]

I remember reading in a TMR document that the GC line is full.

Hence, if the station were built, the passengers could not get on the train in the peak hour.

The natural reaction would be to then add extra trains to the timetable, however, there is no capacity to do that until CRR is opened.

Hahahahaha. The Bombay express. Give me a break. Cleveland is a better contender.

[Gazza]

Yeah, I think the Bombay express was a bit of a meme when the GC line was 3 car sets, no Kuraby triple, no duplications south of Beenleigh. It's not true today.

I remember reading in a TMR document that the GC line is full.

Hence, if the station were built, the passengers could not get on the train in the peak hour.

The natural reaction would be to then add extra trains to the timetable, however, there is no capacity to do that until CRR is opened.

Hey didn't TMR also say that the GC line would be full by 2016 and CRR needed to be open?

The thing is, the fare fail, and rail fail stunted patronage growth.

If you opened all three infill stations, plus the rail extension to Coolangatta, it would be a disaster. The influx of patronage would be impossible to deal with right now.

But a single station at Pimpama probably won't cause problems because there is enough spare space on the trains for that at least, plus it's the 2nd last GC station so even if there are some standees, they would stand for less time than someone going to Robina or Varsity Lakes.

[SurfRail]

2007-2008 was especially painful where you had 25 minute gaps in peak hour and 3-car trains.  Very, very different now - people don't bring their own seats anymore.

Some trains might be fully seated by Beenleigh but many aren't, including the 4-5 trains in the window I would normally be travelling between 0635 and 0728.  Many have seats available all the way to town, and very, very few would have any standing passengers on arrival at Beenleigh.

We're in a very good place compared to 10 years ago, especially compared to the rest of the system.

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2019/1492-2019.pdf

QUESTION ON NOTICE
ASKED

Thursday, 19 September 2019
Answer Due: Monday, 21 October 2019

1492 MR D CRISAFULLI ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

With reference to the three new stations (Pimpama, Helensvale North and Worongary/Merrimac)
announced for the Gold Coast rail line—
Will the Minister provide an update as to (a) when the construction is scheduled to commence, (b) when
these projects will be completed, (c) when the stations will become operational and (d) the estimated cost
of each station?

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> First look at train station locations as government green lights Coast expansion

THE State Government has finalised the location for two new heavy rail stations at north Helensvale and Merrimac.

Cross River Rail Minister Kate Jones will today announce the stations will be:

* The Helensvale North station located next to Mangrove Jack Park, off Hope Island Road.

* The Merrimac station located on Gooding Drive, approximately 750 metres east of the Pacific Motorway and Gooding Drive Interchange.

They will join the Pimpama station located off the Old Pacific Highway, which was announced last month, as part of an expanded heavy raiil line.

The locations were determined due to passenger demand, technical feasibility, customer benefits and the impact on the natural environment.

Helensvale North is predicted to attract more than 2800 passengers daily by 2036, while Merrimac would host 2400.

Pimpama – which will provide services for 1400 commuters, 400 of whom from Ormeau and 430 daily from Coomera station – is on the western side of the rail line just south of the major shopping centre.

The three stations will cost $120 million and take three years to build, opening in 2024.

"The Gold Coast is growing fast and the Palaszczuk Government is building the infrastructure needed to support this growth," Ms Jones said.

"Last month I announced the preferred location for the Pimpama station. I'm proud to announce the final locations for all three new stations to be built for the Gold Coast.

"More than 120 jobs will be created during construction of these train stations – infrastructure that will help Gold Coasters get from A to B faster and more efficiently."

Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said the new stations would connect the local communities with greater access to convenient rail services.

"This is a down payment on the future of the Gold Coast," she said.

"We're building these stations in some of the fastest-growing communities in the city because we know public transport makes a real impact on people's lives.

"Announcing the station locations is an important milestone and marks the beginning of the next phase of work needed to complete these stations.

"Construction will begin in 2020-21. Before then we need to acquire the land for each station, finalise detailed station designs, then go to tender for procurement of construction partners. With their appointment, construction can commence."

Public consultation is to start immediately with all three stations expected to be complete in about three years and operational with the start of the Cross River Rail network.

"Local knowledge will be invaluable in helping us to finalise these designs. You can give feedback online or you can attend in person at one of the community drop-in sessions," Ms Scanlon said.

Community consultation is open from today to November 8.

[SurfRail]

I will be hammering the bus issues, especially for Pimpama and Helensvale North.

[Gazza]

Helensvale North is like 200m from the Boundary of Hope Island itself, and I know about Translinks policies, but in this case calling the station Hope Island would be a lot more informative, given the main residential area it would feed into is hope island.
Or call it "Hope Island Rd"

Ideally you'd link the station road to the roundabout in River Cove place, but it is a private road so they'll never agree to it.

As a fantasy, i would have liked to have seen a 9 car platform, spanning saltwater creek, with entrances at condamine crescent and both sides of hope island road, but i think the bridge design over hope island road would prevent that.

[kram0]

If only they would extend the line to GC airport at the same time as constructing the M1 to Tugan. They are making provision for the heavy rail in the design of the expanded motorway, so save money and let's build it at the same time.

[achiruel]

I honestly see little benefit in extending the heavy rail to the airport at this time. Elanora has merit, perhaps.

[#Metro]

Extension of GC rail has been limited by peak capacity.

Simply, the line could not handle the extra pax from the new stations.

However, with CRR, this will change.

[Gazza]

https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/stations-routes/gold-coast-line/

Having a deeper look at Helensvale North, it should have a bus stop arrangement like Harbour Town. Eastbound buses pull off Hope Island road into a standard bay stop.
Westbound buses should have a 5th exit off the roundabout at Monterrey Keys drive, run past an island platform, then rejoin Hope Island Road at the new traffic lights for the car park entrance on their own phase.

[Gazza]

https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/stations-routes/merrimac-station/

So what's the thought process here. They are happy to have one platform extension go towards Gooding Drive, but not both.

Like, why not just build the whole station closer to Gooding Drive in the first place?

[SurfRail]

I don't mind the way they've done Hope Island actually - the bus interchange in particular looks like it will be a lot easier to get in and out of than the other one-way loops they tend to go with (this one seems similar to Aubin Grove in Perth).  They would need something off-road because it will probably be a terminating location for a bunch of services.

[SurfRail]

The platform access really should be in the middle of the platforms in their ultimate form, as far as possible.  I can deal with staggered platforms but preferably not with a near-200m walk just to get to the overbridge like at Pimpama.