Gold Coast heavy rail extensions, new stations etc.

[timh]

My main issue is still lack of provision for express/bypass tracks. There looks like there *might* be room to squeeze one in between the station and the Coomera connector, but it's tight, and would require a total rebuild of the station. West of the station is no problem though I suppose

Sent from my SM-G780F using Tapatalk

[SurfRail]

I'm not too fussed about express tracks.  The better arrangement in my view is for all Gold Coast trains to stop at all Gold Coast stations - even with the proliferation the journey time increase isn't excessive.  It's also way, way out of scope to be trying to factor in anything beyond just faster QR services (eg a proper east coast HSR). 

The real issue is north of Beenleigh.

I wonder how much input TransLink and Kinetic have had on bus operations.  All these stations getting built (not just CRR related) with one way loops and diversions when the template for success is over on the Mandurah line - especially at stations like Bull Creek.

[kram0]

My main issue is still lack of provision for express/bypass tracks. There looks like there *might* be room to squeeze one in between the station and the Coomera connector, but it's tight, and would require a total rebuild of the station. West of the station is no problem though I suppose

Sent from my SM-G780F using Tapatalk

The cost would be extremely high relative to the benefit. I would expect once the line is extended to GC Airport, you are likely to see two sets of stopping patterns, with key change over stations/interchange with light rail.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Ridiculously few car parks in plans for Hope Island train station $

THE Gold Coast has a problem with public transport.

And no, I'm not talking about the light rail.

The 2016 census showed that just 4.1 per cent of Gold Coasters took some form of public transport to work, compared to the 73.7 per cent who used a private car.

The equivalent number for Greater Brisbane was 11.4 per cent, which matched the national average.

The state government is pouring billions into extending the tram system and building new heavy rail stations at Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac in a bid to try and move that dismal statistic. Will it work? The repetition of two basic mistakes suggest it will not.

The first mistake, a Transport and Main Roads favourite, was clear as day in the detailed plans for the new Hope Island Station unveiled this week. Remarkably, they show the provision of only 179 carparks. ...

[Gazza]

I think with hope island, they need to come out and say that yes it will only have 179 initially, but we will build more underneath the Coomera connector.
Because it would be silly to open with 600 spaces then have to take them out of use for construction of the bridge.

[Fares_Fair]

What is the time delay (generally) caused by waiting for GC express trains?

[ozbob]

Merrimac Station

Cross River Rail will transform the way we travel across all of South East Queensland and as part of its works, the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority will deliver three new rail stations on the Gold Coast Line to help connect South East Queensland's growing population. These stations will be located at Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac.

Following consultation undertaken on the concept design in October 2019, a detailed design of Merrimac station has been prepared and we are now seeking your feedback.

Feedback on the detailed design will be used to inform a final design for construction.

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

Online survey

> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MXLS95H

====



The new Merrimac station will include the following features:

1. Approximately 275 car parks
2. Lighting and CCTV throughout car park and station
3. Eight accessible car parks
4. Through-lifts on each platform
5. Accessible kiss 'n' ride bays
6. Accessible taxi bays
7. Bus stops
8. Bus parking
9. Undercover lock-up for 40 bicycles
10. Planned connection to local pedestrian and cycle paths
11. Cycle path
12. Provision for pedestrian connection
13. Existing pedestrian connections
14. Station building and ticketing
15. Stairs connecting entry level to platforms
16. Pedestrian overpass
17. New signalised intersection
18. Balancing pond

[SurfRail]

Fortunately they have done away with the third lift connecting the entrance area to Gooding Dr - that could have seen access to the inbound platform being via 3 separate lifts.

Still not a fan of point 12 - that should be a connection from day 1, not "FFBNW".

[Gazza]

What was the reason for not building it closer to Gooding Drive?

[Jonno]

This is seriously a worst practice design.  It is car-centric, not integrated to the surrounding developments, requires the bus to wonder off the main road and the bike parking is really just a token.   It creates an unsafe, no casual observation from surround developments and access for people living with a disability is indirect at best.  It is stuck in the 1970's.

[verbatim9]

All the Gold Coast stations have mega park n rides including the nearly opened one at Varsity Lakes,

[SurfRail]

This is seriously a worst practice design.  It is car-centric, not integrated to the surrounding developments, requires the bus to wonder off the main road and the bike parking is really just a token.   It creates an unsafe, no casual observation from surround developments and access for people living with a disability is indirect at best.  It is stuck in the 1970's.

I agree, but I challenge you to do better with this one.  It's not as easy as snapping your fingers to change the policy settings that created the surrounding built environment in a way that would make this work more effectively - it's built out and will always be a lower density location.  "Car-centric" is exactly what this is because the station is being delivered decades after everything around it.

The bus network isn't an issue in my mind.  The number of services through here is small, which is a reflection of the local population density.  There's no way to get a bus to this station without deviating off Gooding Drive or having a long walk from there.  There clearly isn't room north of the bridge for anything and building in and around the bridge is going to drive up the cost.  I expect what would happen in practice is you'd split the local network up a bit so this would be a terminus, especially once the new estate at Worongary starts getting built up.  There aren't many through bus services at Gold Coast line stations even now - Robina is the major exception because the big trip generator at the Town Centre is just on the other side of it.  (Another planning failure since the station and town centre are not co-located.)

The biggest problem by far is lack of pedestrian access from the west, and even then where are you going to put it?  There's not exactly a lot of rights of way where you could put connections in short of resuming homes.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast railway: Train and light rail extension to Gold Coast Airport for 2032 Olympic Games $

THE Gold Coast heavy rail line can be extended from Varsity Lakes to Gold Coast Airport in time for the 2032 Olympic Games.

But only if the council, state and federal governments reach an extraordinary funding deal.

Political leaders say they are increasingly confident both light and heavy rail connections to the airport can be achieved within 11 years, but the cost for both will each top several billion dollars.

A business case is being developed for light rail Stage 4, to run between Burleigh Heads and the border.

Meanwhile, an $8m study on the proposed heavy rail extension is due to be completed in early 2022.

McPherson MP and Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said the extension of the railway was key to the vision of the city's future.

"By 2032 I would like to see the southern Gold Coast connected to the rest of the city and Brisbane via heavy rail," she said.

"I remain a strong advocate for heavy rail and know that local residents want this transport option. ...

[verbatim9]

^^Great

[verbatim9]

Taken the other day at Nerang Station

[Jonno]

This is seriously a worst practice design.  It is car-centric, not integrated to the surrounding developments, requires the bus to wonder off the main road and the bike parking is really just a token.   It creates an unsafe, no casual observation from surround developments and access for people living with a disability is indirect at best.  It is stuck in the 1970's.

I agree, but I challenge you to do better with this one.  It's not as easy as snapping your fingers to change the policy settings that created the surrounding built environment in a way that would make this work more effectively - it's built out and will always be a lower density location.  "Car-centric" is exactly what this is because the station is being delivered decades after everything around it.

The bus network isn't an issue in my mind.  The number of services through here is small, which is a reflection of the local population density.  There's no way to get a bus to this station without deviating off Gooding Drive or having a long walk from there.  There clearly isn't room north of the bridge for anything and building in and around the bridge is going to drive up the cost.  I expect what would happen in practice is you'd split the local network up a bit so this would be a terminus, especially once the new estate at Worongary starts getting built up.  There aren't many through bus services at Gold Coast line stations even now - Robina is the major exception because the big trip generator at the Town Centre is just on the other side of it.  (Another planning failure since the station and town centre are not co-located.)

The biggest problem by far is lack of pedestrian access from the west, and even then where are you going to put it?  There's not exactly a lot of rights of way where you could put connections in short of resuming homes.

I think these is a lot of opportunity to fix this.  The key is build the station under the bridge and connect the station via pedestrian links to surrounding streets.  Bus stops added to the bridge with lifts to station adjacent.  Pedestrian crossing lights at the top of the bridge for bus stops.   The density can be addressed over time to increase density around the station.



https://www.flickr.com/photos/194479288@N08/51683933426

[OzGamer]

That design looks much better, and there is at least some walkability built in, as well as the possibility of having a connection with buses that are on a useful and direct route in both directions. The problem is that in Queensland people seem to assume that the most important, or maybe only, consideration, is how to make it easier for people to drive their cars to the station.

I don't understand why a line needs a dozen stations, every one of which seems designed primarily as a park and ride. Surely one or two would do because a park and ride can be further from your destination.

[ozbob]

GCB ---> State Gov in eight-figure property spree $

The Queensland Government has continued its boomtime property spree, shelling out an eight-figure sum for land where a new Gold Coast train station will be built.

THE Queensland Government has continued its boomtime property spree, shelling out almost $15m for land for the new Pimpama heavy rail station and a nearby commuter carpark.

Property records show a 1.56ha site at Gainsborough Dr was purchased for $4.35m by the State from developer Mirvac Pacific on November 8.

The purchase of the future site follows the purchase of land for the station itself, previously owned by veteran Gold Coast developer Norm Rix and son Greg. ...

[Stillwater]

Historic, but interesting reading ...

https://undertheclocksblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/cross-border-discussion-paper.pdf

[ozbob]

Historic, but interesting reading ...

https://undertheclocksblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/cross-border-discussion-paper.pdf

Thanks, interesting.  I have saved a copy.

[achiruel]

^ I wouldn't object to the extension of the GC line southwards towards Byron, but any suggestion of using the old route via Murwillumbah is utterly ridiculous. The alignment is probably on par with or worse than the current outer Beenleigh line alignment (i.e. terrible).

However, I'm not sure that the current planned heavy rail terminus allows extension southward, so perhaps it would need to be an entirely separate line with interchange at OOL? It might end up being the new Wallangarra! 

[ozbob]

Correspondence from CRRDA

New Gold Coast Stations - Merrimac consultation summary

10th January 2022

Cross River Rail will transform the way we travel across all of South East Queensland and as part of its works, the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority will deliver three new rail stations on the Gold Coast Line to help connect South East Queensland's growing population. These stations will be located at Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac.

In November 2021, we sought community feedback on the detailed design of Merrimac station. Consultation was undertaken from Monday 8 November until Saturday 4 December 2021.

Consultation outcomes

Overall, feedback from the community and stakeholders indicated support for the station and its design.

During the consultation period over 360 people provided feedback through online surveys, community drop-in sessions, stakeholder meetings, emails and phone calls to the project team.

Summary of feedback

Key themes raised during the consultation period included:

    Support for a pedestrian connection on the western and eastern sides of the station.
    Ensure active transport connections to the station and surrounding community are optimised, including extension south towards City of Gold Coast's future Greenheart project.
    Support for a direct access point (pedestrian path) from Lakeland Villas into the station.
    Feedback that the station and access road will add to the existing traffic congestion along Gooding Drive, Exit 77 and surrounding roads.
    Stakeholders requested more detailed information around mitigation measures for environmental, construction and operational impacts (hydrology, vegetation removal, dust, noise, visual amenity).
    Integration with existing public transport services, including bus connections.
    Feedback noting the importance of safety and security elements included in the current design.
    Car park to incorporate additional canopy coverage for shade and protection against weather events.

What's next?

All feedback received during the consultation period will be considered. Further studies will be undertaken including traffic management, hydrology assessment, noise and environment to further refine and finalise the design in preparation for construction.

The final design will be released prior to major construction on the station commencing.

Major construction on the new station is scheduled to commence in 2022 and residents and businesses will be notified prior to construction commencing.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Rail to Gold Coast Airport should be 'core' of public transport plan, says infrastructure group

Rail should be "the core" of the Gold Coast's public transport future and should be prioritised in this year's federal budget or the upcoming election, according to an infrastructure research group.

Key points:

Infrastructure researchers say linking heavy rail to the airport should not be overlooked in funding
Gold Coast's council has prioritised light rail, arts, and park funding in its budget "wishlist"
Further infrastructure funding announcements are possible with a looming election

The deputy director of Griffith University's Cities Research Institute, Professor Matthew Burke, said extending heavy rail south to Gold Coast Airport was vital.

"Come the Olympics, I can't see how we can run the city like we'd like to and run the kind of air movements we'd like to without heavy rail being connected," he said.

The City of Gold Coast was not included in the $1.8 billion South East Queensland City Deal last week after the council had earlier discontinued its membership in the Council of Mayors, through which the funding was organised.

But Professor Burke said the federal budget and election campaign offered opportunities for the city to secure other infrastructure funding. ...

[verbatim9]

I agree we need the extension to Coolangatta

[Cazza]

It's pretty disappointing that the M1 "upgrade" between Varsity Lakes and Tugan is under construction and going ahead, yet they aren't building rail at the same time

[SteelPan]

Treasurer Dick and Minister Mark, are no-doubt on the job of positioning Gold Coast Rail at cutting edge of SupaDupa State delivery, all in time for the World's Most Overhypred Sports Carnival.....4mins to be trimmed off the GC rail link....count them...1....2....3.....4...... 

Allllll Abooooaaaardddddd....next stop.....

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament E-Petition

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=3765

HOPE ISLAND TRAIN STATION

TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland
Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the proposed Hope Island train station and again highlight the need for suitable car parking facilities. Residents are convinced that the proposed 172 car spaces will be completely inadequate and will force Queensland Rail patrons to overflow into neighbouring streets for parking.

Failure to allocate the necessary car spaces now will only force the department to allocate additional funds in the future at far higher expense to taxpayers.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all within its power to allocate additional car spaces now, so that the station has a minimum of 500 spaces available. This decision is financially prudent and will encourage further use of public transport at this location.

[SurfRail]

What happens when 500 isn't enough?

    

[Jonno]

1. Complain about the traffic congestion
2. Spend $x millions study obesity, heart disease, social isolation, joblessness in society
3. Complain that the kids can't afford to buy a house!
4.  Whinge that 500 really wasn't enough at it should have been 1000 - "Stupid Govt"
5. Spend another $xx million building More car park
6. Go back to 1!

[#Metro]

Put car parking fee on the car park and in all the surrounding streets. Put on buses as well.

Provided that there is space on the street and safety isn't compromised, it isn't generally a problem for cars to park in the street. The car is stationary and isn't harming anyone.

If residents are going to have objections to car parking in streets, it needs to be on other grounds than "I don't want a car parked near my house".

Street parking also uses existing space - so the additional expenditure is minimal (the cost of painting lines, signs and possibly ticketing) versus creating dedicated parking at stations ($25-$50K each).

[verbatim9]

In Qld---> Right on track: Brisbane Olympics drives Gold Coast rail link expansion

The Federal government is also investigating the feasibility of extending the Gold Coast line from Varsity Lakes to the Gold Coast Airport.

[verbatim9]

^^Great to see

[Gazza]

You could have written that as one post:


In Qld---> Right on track: Brisbane Olympics drives Gold Coast rail link expansion

The Federal government is also investigating the feasibility of extending the Gold Coast line from Varsity Lakes to the Gold Coast Airport.

^^^ Great to see.

[kram0]

My mate who is a senior engineer for the CRR delivery authority said he can almost guarantee GC line extension to GC Airport by the Olympics. They are already having discussions with the construction sector around indicative costs/challenges and timelines.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament E-Petion

HOPE ISLAND TRAIN STATION (car parking)

Response > https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=3765

[ozbob]

🌴 Gold Coast stations update 🌴 Did you know Cross River Rail is delivering three new rail stations on the Gold Coast...

Posted by Cross River Rail on Monday, 14 November 2022

====

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

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2022/1279-2022.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 1279
Asked on 8 November 2022

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

QUESTION:

With reference to the Hope Island station project update issued by the Cross River Rail Delivery
Authority on 15 September 2022 that says the project will be delivered by the same contractor as
the adjacent Coomera Connector Stage 1 North project—

Will the Minister advise the anticipated financial savings from this joint delivery approach and if
these savings will be reflected in the Coomera Connector or Hope Island station budgets?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Theodore for the question.

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority (the Delivery Authority) has engaged Acciona Georgiou
Joint Venture (AGJV) in a collaborative Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase to enable a
Design and Construction agreement to deliver Hope Island station.

The ECI phase has now commenced, providing an opportunity for AGJV and the Delivery
Authority to collaborate and develop best-for-State outcomes in relation to management of land
access, construction staging and other interface risks. As the Delivery Authority is still negotiating
with the contractor as part of the ECI phase, it would not be appropriate to share commercial-inconfidence information.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

Question on Notice
No. 1271
Asked on 8 November 2022

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

QUESTION:

With reference to public consultation for the Hope Island Train Station—
Will the Minister advise how many public submissions requested additional parking on opening?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Broadwater for the question.

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority (Delivery Authority) is planning three new rail stations on
the Gold Coast Line to help better connect South East Queensland's growing population at
Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac.

The Delivery Authority undertook community consultation on the concept designs in 2019 and
again on the first stage of detailed designs in 2021. During both community consultation periods,
the Delivery Authority encouraged feedback via an online survey.

Community consultation on the concept design was undertaken for all three stations concurrently
between 9 October 2019 and 8 November 2019. The online survey was completed by 805 people,
with approximately 127 respondents providing feedback to increase car parking capacity,
including consideration for future expansion options.

Following design refinement, community consultation on the first stage of detailed design was
undertaken via a staged approach for each of the stations during 2021. Hope Island station
community consultation was undertaken between 23 August 2021 and 18 September 2021. The
online survey was completed by 415 people with approximately 147 respondents providing
feedback to increase car parking capacity, including consideration for future expansion options.
As noted in my response to Question on Notice 470, tabled on 13 June 2022, while the latest
design for the new Hope Island station includes provision for approximately 179 car parks, it also
provides for future car park expansion. The Delivery Authority is investigating options to deliver
additional parking as the design progresses.

[ozbob]

Media Release

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/96931

Contractor locked in for new Pimpama train station

JOINT STATEMENT  12th January 2023

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs
The Honourable Meaghan Scanlon

Asset link (information)

ADCO Constructions has been awarded the contract to design and build the new Pimpama train station – the first of three being delivered on the Gold Coast through Cross River Rail.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the South East Queensland-based contractor would start major works on the new station in early 2023.

"Pimpama is one of the fastest growing suburbs in Australia, so I'm glad to see we've taken this important step towards getting the station built," Mr Bailey said.

"The new station will make it much easier for local residents to jump on a train, as they won't need to go to Ormeau or Coomera to use the rail network.

"Getting closer to having a new station is a win for the Pimpama community, and I'm looking forward to seeing construction progress."

Gold Coast-based Palaszczuk Government Minister Meaghan Scanlon said while the contract for major works had just been signed, early works and site establishment activities had already started.

"We know how important it is to get this station built, which is why we haven't wasted any time getting the site ready for construction," Ms Scanlon said.

"Early works on the station access road, drainage and connecting infrastructure are also well underway and once complete, around 40,000 cubic metres of spoil – enough to fill about 16 Olympic swimming pools – will have been excavated and re-used where possible.

"This project comes as part of the Palaszczuk Labor Government's almost $5.2 billion, four-year road and transport plan for the Gold Coast, supporting 4,300 good, secure jobs.

"We're making it much easier to move around the Gold Coast, and helping Queenslanders spend more time enjoying our great lifestyle."

Ms Scanlon said the Pimpama community could look forward to a fully accessible state-of-the-art station.

"Whether you're pushing a pram or in a wheelchair, you will have a good passenger experience at the new Pimpama station," she said.

"We want our new Gold Coast stations to be accessible to all of the community, which is why we consulted extensively with a specially formed accessibility reference group.

"Just a few of the accessibility features at Pimpama will be large taxi and kiss'n'ride bays, tactile boarding mats at boarding points and through-lifts on each platform.

"The new Pimpama station will also include a 40-bike lock-up enclosure, a pedestrian overpass and connections to local pedestrian and cycle paths."

ADCO's Managing Director Neil Harding said the company's team of highly experienced rail and transport delivery experts looked forward to completing the important project.

"ADCO is thrilled with the opportunity to deliver this project, contributing to the growth of SEQ, in particular improving connectivity with other public transport networks between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, while also boosting local businesses and providing jobs for the local community," Mr Harding said.

"The Pimpama train station project adds to ADCO's solid track record of projects within the region, such as the Pimpama Sports Hub, Pimpama Tavern and other facilities in the rail and transport sector."

Mr Bailey said timelines for the other two stations being built on the Gold Coast – Merrimac and Hope Island – were also progressing well.

"Procurement activities are well underway at Merrimac and Hope Island, with major works set to start at both later this year," Mr Bailey said.

"All three Gold Coast stations are scheduled to be operational in line with the first Cross River Rail services."

Pimpama station fast facts:

Pimpama is one of three sites – including Hope Island and Merrimac – where stations will be built on the Gold Coastline as part of Cross River Rail.

ADCO Constructions has been awarded the contract to build the station.

Key station features include five accessible car parks, through-lifts on each platform, a 40-bike lock-up enclosure and a pedestrian overpass.

After a co-design phase with the specially formed Accessibility Reference Group, the following improvements were made to the station design:

. Larger taxi and kiss'n'ride bays;
. Assistance animal toileting facilities.
. Tactile boarding matts at accessible boarding points; and
. Improved location and layout for accessible and ambulant toilets.

In response to community feedback, approximately 380 car parks that were going to be delivered in two stages will now be delivered on opening day. There is also provision for about 200 extra car parks in the future to accommodate forecasted population growth.

Early works at Pimpama started in late 2021, early works and site establishment have been undertaken in 2022, and major construction will commence in early 2023.

Click here for a 360 degree look at what the future station might look like.

ENDS