Gold Coast heavy rail extensions, new stations etc.

[Gazza]

https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/cross-river-rail/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20115901/191216-New-Gold-Coast-Station-Factsheet-V1-3.pdf

Feedback key points

• Improve connecting bus services as well as pedestrian
and bicycle accesses
• Minimise impacts on green-space including vegetation
and fauna
• Change the Helensvale North Station name to Hope
Island Station.
• Increase parking capacity at each station to minimise
parking overflow
• Manage noise and visual impacts on surrounding
properties
• Incorporate lighting and security into station design
• Ensure traffic conditions around each station remain safe
and efficient

[kram0]

Lol, and not one mention of moving Merrimac station closer to the larger housing estates the developers mentioned.

[ozbob]

Robina to Tugun Rail Impact Assessment Study
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/R/Robina-to-Tugun-Rail-Impact-Assessment-Study

The Robina to Tugun Rail Impact Assessment Study examined technical environmental, social and economic aspects and identified a preferred alignment for the rail corridor.

Trains on the Gold Coast line are already near capacity, and an extension would contribute to over-crowding for passengers. The extension will only be constructed when additional passenger capacity has been created on the line. This is likely to be after construction of the Cross River Rail project. The South East Queensland Rail Horizon report confirmed the existing SEQ rail network will not have the capacity to expand into new areas until Cross River Rail has been completed.

If the market share is mostly intercity, perhaps it should stay that way. Improve bus connections and keep the speed of the line up.

The material that TMR has presented suggests that adding additional stations would simply make the train fill up sooner and leave existing users waiting at the platforms.

CRR would be needed first to ensure that extra slots were available on the timetable to allow more services to absorb that capacity.

I would like to see far more TOD around these stations. They are far away from the main GC strip, so probably not subject to NIMBY as much.

This is from https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/-/media/Projects/R/Robina-to-Tugun-Rail-Impact-Assessment-Study/robina-to-tugun-ias-executive-summary-part-a.pdf?la=en   Map was done in 2005.

[kram0]

What a absolute waste of money it was back then on this study as they have done nothing with it.

I'm sure when they are ready to proceed, they would have to revisit a lot of what was done due to the major changes.  So frustrating.

[verbatim9]

If CRR was built.back in 2016 the extension to OOL would be likely by now.

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/petition-details?id=3335

Queensland Parliament: E-Petition

Pimpama Railway Station - Fast Track

Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House, the fact that the northern Gold Coast, centred on the Pimpama region, is the fastest growing region in Queensland and therefore the construction of the promised Pimpama Railway Station needs to be fast tracked. The construction could form part of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Program. The Palaszczuk Labor Government promised a railway station for Pimpama in 2017, what they didn't say was they were not going to build it until 2024! This is too late. The building of the Pimpama Railway Station should be fast tracked as part of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Program.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all in its power to ensure the government fast tracks construction of the Pimpama Railway Station, which can be justified for two reasons. Firstly, by population growth and secondly a sensible inclusion in the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Program. The Pimpama Railway Station should be delivered no later than 2021.

[Cazza]

Fast track Pimpama Station and relocate Ormeau Station to Eggsdorf Rd. The main station structure and platforms should be left in place in case it is to be reopened in the future (like the potential for local Gold Coast trains) but just have the trains express through and stop at the more sensible Ormeau Station (where the people actually live).

[ozbob]

Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Hon. Bailey), to an ePetition (3426-20) sponsored by the member for Coomera, Mr Michael Crandon, from 108 petitioners, requesting the House to fast track the construction of the Pimpama Railway Station

>  http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/docs/find.aspx?id=5721T9

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Work starts on three new rail stations which will change northern Gold Coast $

WORK is to begin on the ground this week on building the Gold Coast's three new railway stations — and the State Government is under pressure to change the name of one of them.

The Palaszczuk Government will consider a request from councillors and residents to change Helensvale North station to Hope Island station. ...

[kram0]

https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/first-look-new-designs-showcase-how-gold-coast-railway-station-will-look/news-story/94e4ccb9b6a5a69d5eee727e8b80a1ce

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/91578

FIRST LOOK: GC Cross River Rail station as designs underway
1st March 2021

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey



Gold Coasters have been given a sneak peek at plans for the new Pimpama train station, with the Palaszczuk Government announcing today the start of detailed design for the glitter strip's three new Cross River Rail stations.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said about 20 full-time jobs would be created through the transformational project's detailed design process.

GHD, along with its architecture arm GHD Woodhead have been awarded the design contract for Pimpama, Merrimac and Helensvale North stations.

"This is the very first important step towards building three new stations on the coast as part of my government's $56 billion infrastructure guarantee," the Premier said.

"Investing in these stations alongside our $1 billion M1 upgrade, $1.5 billion second M1 and $709 million light rail stage 3 is an important part of our economic recovery and will put the Gold Coast in the fast lane when it comes to transport and jobs through COVID-19."

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said in addition to creating 20 full-time roles, as many as 100 GHD workers would be involved during the detailed design process.

"Most of the workforce is local, including graduate engineers and scientists and cadet technicians based in GHD's Gold Coast and Brisbane offices," he said.

"GHD will refine the existing concept designs for each station, producing detailed designs, documentation and approvals ready for construction.

"As part of the detailed design phase, additional studies will be undertaken including construction methodology, noise modelling, flood modelling and flora and fauna studies.

"Community feedback and input is being considered as part of the detailed design phase and there will be another opportunity for public consultation on the updated designs later this year, with nearby communities to be notified well in advance."

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the important step with design would ensure the stations would be ready by 2025 when Cross River Rail begins operation.

"The first concept images are exciting for our community, and show the opportunities that the Palaszczuk Government is creating by investing in public transport on the coast," Ms Scanlon said.

"Getting started now means that within a few years Gold Coasters in our booming northern suburbs will be able to catch a train to the rest of the Gold Coast, to Brisbane and connect with our light rail."

GHD's General Manager, South Queensland Operations Richard Evans said the company was delighted to work on the detailed designs of the three stations, having already delivered the station concept designs and business cases.

"These three new stations will play a vital role in the continued growth of the Gold Coast and Queensland communities," he said.

Gold Coast stations fast facts:

As part of Cross River Rail, three new Gold Coast stations will be constructed at Pimpama, Helensvale North and Merrimac;
Early investigations are underway, including geotechnical works, surveying and environmental studies; 
Community consultation took place in late 2019 on concept designs for the new stations, with more than 1150 people providing feedback;
Pimpama land acquisition is nearing completion, with all sites expected to be acquired or ownership transferred by mid-2021;
Detailed designs for all three stations will be developed during 2021 and will inform the preferred construction methodology and timing.
Stations will be operational in time for Cross River Rail's opening in 2025.

ENDS

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1373756105684258820

"HEAVY rail to the Airport and light rail spur lines to the city's west must be fast-tracked within a decade to support the Gold Coast's rapidly growing population.

That's the pitch from civic leaders and planning experts who have warned the city needs to dramatically expand its public transport offerings, not just to decongest the roads ..."

[Gazza]

Any key quotes?

[ozbob]

^

... Mayor Tom Tate said infrastructure was critical to supporting the property boom and the resulting population growth and laid out his plans to get the city moving.

He said a green light for the 2032 Olympic Games bid would put projects on the fast-track

"The bid is the perfect stimulus to get future stages of the Coomera Connector underway now but I also want to see the heavy rail link - from Varsity to the airport - begun within in the next three years," he said. ...

It will be added to the wish list Tom ... 

[ozbob]

For discussion GCLR spur lines >>> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12676.msg245100#msg245100

[verbatim9]

TMR---> Heavy rail to Tugan Last updated: 16 March 2021

[verbatim9]

Couriermail----> Record $1.6 billion in road and rail budget bonanza

Preliminary works for capacity upgrades on the Gold Coast line

[ozbob]

^



IA still has this as a priority initiative. Shows how shambolic the IA process really is.  Projects are funded on politics and not much else.  This particularly true for NSW and Victoria where massive amounts for projects not even tested.

IA Priority Initiative: Gold Coast rail line and station improvements: Kuraby to Beenleigh
https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/map/gold-coast-rail-line-and-station-improvements-kuraby-beenleigh

[ozbob]

A new turnout has been installed at varsity lakes to allow services from platform 1 to immediatly switch tracks.    Its not yet in operation but when it is it should greatly improve reliability

Common sense finally prevails!

Why is it they build these sub-optimal track layouts against advice, then have to go back and spend even more moolah to sort what was painfully obvious before day one.  Time we got rail out of DTMR.

IDIOTS!! 

[timh]

^



IA still has this as a priority initiative. Shows how shambolic the IA process really is.  Projects are funded on politics and not much else.  This particularly true for NSW and Victoria where massive amounts for projects not even tested.

IA Priority Initiative: Gold Coast rail line and station improvements: Kuraby to Beenleigh
https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/map/gold-coast-rail-line-and-station-improvements-kuraby-beenleigh

Considering there barely a business case or detailed plan for any sort of capacity upgrades between Kuraby and Beenleigh it's interesting it's called "preconstruction works". That wording usually involves some kind of actual physical work rather than just planning. Could it mean money for property resumptions? Station turnbacks? It would be interesting to see details of this but I don't know if that would be included in the budget document itself

Sent from my SM-G780F using Tapatalk

[ozbob]

DTMR: Gold Coast Rail Line Capacity Improvement Project (Kuraby to Beenleigh)

> https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/gold-coast-rail-line-capacity-improvement-project-kuraby-to-beenleigh

Vague ...

[kram0]

Would $350+m be enough to build an additional track from Kuraby to Beenleigh? I would assume projects like a new Loganlea station would not be included in this scope of work.

[ozbob]

I think one of the smartest things they could do is extend the ETCS L2 rollout from Salisbury through to Varsity Lakes ...

[achiruel]

Would $350+m be enough to build an additional track from Kuraby to Beenleigh? I would assume projects like a new Loganlea station would not be included in this scope of work.

I very much doubt it. Consider the number of bridges involved, just to get to (new) Loganlea, for a start:
Compton Rd
Wembley Rd
Scrubby Creek
Logan Mwy (road-over-rail, but I expect it'll need modifications
Loganlea Rd (likewise)

Then if you want to keep going to Beenleigh, you've got
Logan River (this is a big one)
Logan River Rd
Boundary St
Zander St
Tunnel from James St to Main St
Alamein St

I would be very surprised if, at this time, amplification extends beyond Loganlea, simply due to cost.

[verbatim9]

As per previous discussions on this line, Loganlea will likely to be the new terminating station replacing the need for a Beenleigh upgrade. Loganlea station should have two island platforms 3 through tracks and one terminating track for peak turnarounds. The whole Gold Coast line needs to be upgraded to ETCS 2. This will allow for approach to stations at speed as well as driver only operations, which will save money translating into high frequency services 7 days a week.

Sections around Trinder Park will have to be reworked, either with tunnelling or land resumptions and track realignment. The aim should be to allow trains to run up to 100kph and above for the whole length of the track from Beenleigh to Kuraby.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament E-Petition

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/petition-details?id=3580

Helensvale North/Hope Island Road train station

TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland
Queensland residents draw to the attention of the House the need for suitable car parking facilities at the proposed Helensvale North train station. Residents feel 172 car spaces is completely inadequate and will result in Queensland Rail patrons using local streets for parking which will clog narrow streets with excess vehicles. Additionally, residents request the name of the station better reflect its location.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to dramatically increase parking spaces to at least 500 at the proposed station and change the name of the station to Hope Island Road.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Pimpama railway station: When construction begins on Gold Coast's new train station $

EARLY construction works on the Gold Coast's newest train station will start by Christmas.

The Pimpama railway station will be the first of three new stops built on the Gold Coast line as part of the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project.

Major construction will begin in 2022 and it is expected to open in 2025. The state government has released a new image of the station ahead of launching community consultation on the two-storey station on Monday.

The design has changed significantly since the original concept was released in March.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Cross River Rail would have significant benefits for Gold Coast travellers, including increasing speed of travel: "In the future, this new station will ensure that locals benefit from Cross River Rail – being able to catch a train within minutes of arriving during peak times."

Consultation runs until August 7. ...

" ... including increasing speed of travel: "In the future, this new station will ensure that locals benefit from Cross River Rail – being able to catch a train within minutes of arriving during peak times." ...   

LOL!

[Cazza]

But tomorrow never comes...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1414320338792378372

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1414359165342949378

^ commences about one minute in ...

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/92640

Detailed design released for new Pimpama station
12th July 2021

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Gold Coasters will get a sneak peek at detailed designs of a brand new train station in the city's north being delivered by the Palaszczuk Government through Cross River Rail.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said major infrastructure like the Cross River Rail project was an important part of the government's COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

The Premier said images released today were part of consultation on the design of the new Pimpama station starting today and running until August 7.

"My government is delivering new infrastructure on the Gold Coast to create jobs and stimulate the local economy at a time we need it most," the Premier said.

"In the future, this new station will ensure that locals benefit from Cross River Rail – being able to catch a train within minutes of arriving during peak times.

"We'll continue to deliver projects that help to rebuild our economy and cut commute times for Gold Coasters."

Locals are invited to have their say on the detailed design released for the new Pimpama station, which is being built as part of the transformational Cross River Rail project.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said there would be a staged approach to community consultation on the designs for each of the three new Gold Coast stations, starting with Pimpama on Monday, 12 July.

"The $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project will transform the way we travel across all of South East Queensland," Mr Bailey said.

"The three new stations at Pimpama, Helensvale North and Merrimac which are Palaszczuk Government election commitments will help reinvigorate transport in key growth areas on the Gold Coast line.

"They are an important part of the Palaszczuk Government's record $27.5 billion roads and transport investment over four years, which is creating 24, 000 jobs, and helping to drive Queensland's economic recovery.

"These detailed designs are the next step in delivering these new stations for the Coast, and I urge locals to have a look at them and provide their feedback."

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the new Pimpama station would transform public transport on the booming northern Gold Coast together with new stations at Helensvale North and Merrimac.

"Just last year Pimpama's population grew 13.7 per cent, making it one of the fastest-growing areas in our region," Ms Scanlon said.

"Which is why we need more public transport that's convenient and accessible – and why we're investing in three new train stations and expanding light rail on the coast.

"With this important next step, we'll see early works happening very soon and major construction happening next year to create a pipeline of jobs alongside record investment on the M1 and Coomera Connector."

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said early investigations commenced for Pimpama and the other stations in January, which included geotechnical works, survey work, utility identification and environmental studies, including heritage, flora and fauna.

"These early investigations, as well as feedback already received from the community, have been crucial in refining the concept designs," he said.

"Some of the design features for Pimpama include a new signalised intersection at the station entry off the Old Pacific Highway, improved pedestrian access, upgraded lifts to improve passenger movement, and provision for a future car park expansion.

"Feedback from the detailed design will be used to inform the final design for construction."

Mr Bailey said early construction works were expected to commence in late 2021, with major construction to commence in 2022, and completed in time for Cross River Rail's opening in 2025.

"All three new Gold Coast stations will mean greater access to convenient rail services and easier travel within the Gold Coast as well as to Brisbane," he said.

Mr Bailey said community consultation for Pimpama station was open until 7 August.

For more information about Pimpama station and to have your say, visit Cross River Rail's website.

Detailed designs for Helensvale North and Merrimac will be released later in the year, and residents can sign up for works notices and updates here.

ENDS

[kram0]

https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/cross-river-rail/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/12061154/210702-GCIS-Consultation_Pimpama_A3_v26.pdf

[Gazza]

I gave feedback that the bus stops should be linked to the station entrance with a continuous roof, as seen at Helensvale, Coomera, Varsity etc

[kram0]

https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/northern/pimpama-railway-station-when-construction-begins-on-gold-coasts-new-train-station/news-story/d3de4fc44274e636449f21ea83bccaf0

3 years to build a train station is a joke, but what did we expect?   

[Gazza]

 I'm guessing they only want to re-timetable once....When CRR opens.

[verbatim9]

Loganlea will be the key upgrade to provide better services to the Gold Coast.

4 platforms would be ideal there. Three being through tracks and the 4th a terminating turnaround service.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2021/822-2021.pdf

Question on Notice

No. 822

Asked on 16 June 2021

MR M BOOTHMAN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to the proposed Helensvale North Train Station—

Will the Minister listen to residents' concerns and (a) rename the proposed Train Station to Hope
Island Road Station and (b) commit to increasing the carparking spaces at this proposed station
to at least 500 catering for needs of the area?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Theodore for the question and his interest in the Palaszczuk Government's
$5.4 billion Cross River Rail project.

The project will transform how we travel by rail in the future as well as creating more than 7700
jobs and, as we speak, is pumping more than $4 million a day into our economy.
The Gold Coast is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, which is why in 2017 the
Palaszczuk Government announced three new stations on the Gold Coast, to be delivered as
part of the Cross River Rail project. The new stations are scheduled to be operational in time for
the first Cross River Rail services to the Gold Coast.

Whether it is the new heavy rail stations, or Light Rail, or our mammoth road building program,
the Palaszczuk Government is delivering major transport improvements on the Gold Coast.
I note the contrasting approach from the LNP which cancelled the Cross River Rail project, and
cut $1.6 billion from roads and transport funding, making the state-wide allocation of funding for
competing priorities, including rail upgrades, more challenging. This new station would not be
funded to be built if the LNP were elected in 2017, given they were committed to cutting Cross
River Rail a second time.

In late 2019, representatives from the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority commenced community
consultation on the draft station design concepts for Pimpama, Helensvale North and Merrimac
stations. Feedback was received during this process across a broad range of topics, including
carparking facilities and renaming the Helensvale North station to Hope Island station.
Further community consultation on the Helensvale North station is expected to occur this year,
which will help inform ongoing station design, including the matters the Member has raised.

[verbatim9]

https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=546.msg249322.msg#249322

^^Heavy Rail from Varsity lakes to Coolangatta will be fast tracked.

[Gazza]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/gold-coast/gold-coast-railways-new-train-station-to-be-renamed-by-state-government/news-story/d706f26ff4f301114b64f10f4240f424%3Famp&ved=2ahUKEwillfSfp6byAhVa4XMBHXMuBk8QFnoECAQQBg&usg=AOvVaw0m5JUM85pKIpu42pKPYEiG&ampcf=1

"
THE state government has abandoned plans to name one of the Gold Coast's new train stations "Helensvale North" after a community outcry. The station will instead be name Hope Island following what Transport Minister Mark Bailey described as "strong and consistent" community feedback. "

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast railways: New train station to be renamed by state government $

THE state government has abandoned plans to name one of the Gold Coast's new train stations "Helensvale North" after a community outcry.

The station will instead be name Hope Island following what Transport Minister Mark Bailey described as "strong and consistent" community feedback.

"We picked up this desire for a name change early in the process and I'm pleased to announce we are working through the steps required for the name change to be formalised," he said. ...

[Gazza]

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

Hope Island Station design is up.

Main problems i can see is the bus access arrangements are terrible and very circuitous due it being one way in and out, and that intersection having no right turn when leaving the station 
Definitley need to have RboT members submitting feedback about this.

Also, same problem where there is not a continuous covered walkway from the bus stop to the station.