Gold Coast heavy rail extensions, new stations etc.

[achiruel]

I do think leaving only space for 3 HR platforms instead of 4 at Helensvale will turn out to be short-sighted. Time will tell. I doubt the entire line will be quadded in my lifetime, but sections certainly could be to allow express intercity services to overtake the locals. Maybe Helensvale - Nerang?

I also wonder if suburban services should be extended beyond Beenleigh? Maybe a new station around Yatala or Stapylton from which the GC trains would run express, and build it with 4 or 5 platforms and proper turnback facilities unlike the shuffle that goes on at Beenleigh. I don't think there's really room at Beenleigh to make it what it need to be.

[aldonius]

Parkway station at Yatala, tonnes of parking, but make it the Beenleigh terminus and don't stop the Coast trains there. (Otherwise that'll lose many of its pax at its first non-express stop).

[SurfRail]

Unless we are talking about running something like 16tph plus, I fail to see the need for any track amplification south of Beenleigh.  Helensvale third platform would be justified on the basis of better interchange with light rail and if Helensvale is used as an originating / terminating location in peak but not otherwise.

[tazzer9]

Quadding will never happen due to the vast number of bridges and the tunnel.  It was only 21 years after the line opened that we got it to two tracks.   We can't even get the new varsity lakes turnback operational.  Still wrong roading all the way back to robina instead of using a newly installed and commissioned piece of infrastructure.

The turnback has been there since the line extension opened in 2009. Hardly 'newly installed'. Operationally, it is just easier for the drivers/guard to turn back on the platform and wrong road, rather than turnback past the platform in almost all cases.

The Varsity Lakes extension really hasn't done much for PT on the Gold Coast anyway. Buses like the 760 and 765 need to proceed to Robina anyway for the town centre, and thanks to the increase in padding on the bus-train transfer, hasn't actually saved anybody any time - just increased reliability, which has come at the cost of Surfside/QR not really caring about the buses meeting the trains any more.

4 tracks - I can't ever see it happening. 2 tracks with passing loops, yes.

I'm talking about the recently installed crossover so trains that arrive on platform 1 don't have to shunt into the neck or return wrong road to robina.   It has been put in, but trains still aren't using it.  It could now be run like any other terminus station but isn't. 

The main purpose of varsity lakes station was to relieve park n ride pressure on robina anyway, which has served that purpose well.  Its much easier to get to the highway from VL than robina.

[matlock]

I think the time has pretty much come for more stations on the GC. Can't see what's wrong with the idea. 1 million people will live on the GC by 2060 so it's about time some preparations were put down in anticipation of adding additional lines to the GC. Enough talk about extensions - if the GC gets tracks to their airport it would work best if there was a service which only ran between OOL and Helensvale or even Beenleigh. The Gold Coast Line can then be shortened to terminate at Helensvale, so Brisbane-bound or light-rail users commuters can interchange there.

Just a fantasy but it would make greater sense than having the Gold Coast line run on and on and on.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Southern Gold Coast light rail link will transform Palm Beach and Elanora and bring more people to the area (sic)

GOLD Coast suburbs along a proposed extension of the heavy rail line would get a new lease of life if the track was built.

The next station south of Varsity Lakes is expected to be constructed between Palm Beach and Elanora, according to long-term State Government plans, and would be the first in a decade.

While there are no current plans to build the link, data studied by traffic engineers indicates it would likely cost hundreds of millions of dollars to complete.

According to data seen by the Bulletin, the cost would likely be $5-10 million to build each kilometre of the near 8km route from Varsity Lakes to Palm Beach, along the M1.

Any bridges would be likely to add around $50 million each while the railway station alone would likely cost $20 million.

Greater Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce President Hilary Jacobs believes the line would bring benefits to the area.

"What this link would do is make it easier to connect with the state's capital and would relieve the traffic issues we have down here," she said.

"But at the same time this opens up a lot of opportunities too because a lot of people will be able to travel further with less hassle while bringing more people to the area.

"Further south there is the potential for further development of the airport area but the idea doesn't lend itself too well to the Elanora and Palm Beach area."

The line, which terminates at Varsity Lakes, has not seen any extension in nearly a decade.

The extension south is supported by the Gold Coast Airport and Gold Coast City Council

Earlier this month, Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon told the Gold Coast Bulletin the timing of the extension of the heavy rail from Varsity Lakes to the Gold Coast Airport "is subject to funding and competing statewide priorities".

Southport businessman John Howe has witnessed the dramatic changes in his suburb since light rail began operating more than four years ago, including a significant increase in the student population and a raft of new businesses coming into the area.

He said the Coast's southern suburbs would experience the same uplift.

"My view would be that as you move towards the south we must be very sensitive of the environment, to the community in those areas," he said.

"But one must always remember that we all need to look after the future of our children and choose jobs

"Whatever we do must be determined by how we can get those children jobs."

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast new super suburb offers last chance for central house and land package and to get planning right

A $1 BILLION new master planned suburb will soon be marketed as the last chance to build the Aussie dream of a home on a block of land close enough to get views of the Glitter Strip.

But the Gold Coast Bulletin, after obtaining documents and meeting with stakeholders, can reveal the Pacific View Estate at Worongary presents a dramatic change in planning direction for the Gold Coast.

As the new home for up to 12,000 residents, the massive greenfield site between Nerang and Mudgeeraba will ease population pressure.

But before much of the hinterland super suburb is built, the State Government and Gold Coast City Council in their dealing with the consortium developing the project will do the heavy lifting on planning infrastructure.

Work is underway upgrading the area's water and sewer system, commitments have been made for a new railway station and assessments are starting on the need for a new school.

Unlike the catch-up being played out in the city's fast growing north, as shown in the Golden Age series, the new hinterland residents will not be queued on an offramp for up to an hour waiting to get on to the Pacific Motorway.

Families in the morning peak hour were taking 23 minutes to crawl 150 metres to reach an on-ramp from Yalwalpah Road on to the M1 at Pimpama in the Coast's north.

Pacific View Estate fronts an upgraded six-lane M1, residents will be able to cycle to a new railway station and arterial roads are being planned now to cater for expected traffic in 10 years.

The suburb was planned after the Perth-based Perron Group bought the 342ha parcel of vacant land that had belonged to reclusive millionaire Robert "Spiney Bob'' Anthes, who died in 2004.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad in March 2015 announced the Government had approved the project after a call-in, predicting it would provide a $3.2 billion boost to the economy and about 2700 jobs during the construction phase.

The project's web page says the development is "planned to come to the market in 2018" and will be built over stages in the next 10 years.

The developer is reluctant to put up a set time line but council insiders forecast sales will begin next year and construction will start in 2020.

The council has begun upgrading sewer works and education bureaucrats are monitoring the demand for a new school.

Hinterland councillor Glenn Tozer told the Gold Coast Bulletin: "In the 2016-17 budget, more than $14 million was allocated to the Merrimac west sewer augmentation project. The sewer and wastewater upgrade in that precinct was in anticipation of development like this.

"We have Hinkler Drive receiving future capital works, we have the M1 expansion done there, and we have the M1 works southbound in progress.

"We've done a number of significant projects to make the traffic much better. There is more to do and we need to spend more on the road network."

Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon confirmed Education Queensland would continue to assess the needs of the new Coast suburb and monitor population trends.

"The Gold Coast's population is expected to reach 928,000 over the next 25 years, with the area requiring approximately 159,000 new dwellings by 2041," Ms Scanlon said.

"It is anticipated that Pacific View Estate will provide approximately 3500 dwellings."

Ms Scanlon said the Government had a strong and proven track record on delivering education infrastructure the Coast needed to keep pace with growth.

"Since July 1 2015, more than $167 million has been invested to deliver new schools, new classrooms and upgrade classrooms in the Gold Coast area," she said.

"A further $81.7 million will be invested into education infrastructure in the Gold Coast region in the 2018-19 financial year.''

Documents reveal that after a call-in, the Government required the developer to complete several major technical studies.

The estate's development code allows for lots ranging from 180 sqm to 1500 sqm and apartment buildings up to eight storeys.

A village centre with maximum ground floor space of 15,000 sqm is likely to have a supermarket chain as an anchoring client.

The estate's planning allows for an industrial precinct that would include manufacturing and storage facilities.

The east-west corridor provides for a "central green open space spine" to provide a breathing space across the suburb.

The Government has required to the developer to provide designs for new intersections along Hinkler Drive, the western arterial road running beside the M1.

The plans would need to show what land had to be acquired and that the intersections would be safe.

The Government has requested "adequate storage capacity in turns" and that intersections would cope under a "10-year design horizon" when the project opens.

Documents also show the developer must pay a road network contribution fee of $1169 per dwelling to Queensland Transport.

Project development manager Chris Alston, of CRA Group, declined to speculate on a starting date, saying "we are still in the planning approval phase".

"We're working through all that from a Federal and State Government perspective. Council commenced the sewer works. That was a good job that they did there," Mr Alston said.

The developer was given no guarantee of timing of the planned Merrimac railway station, which is to be one of three new Coast stop-offs as part of the Cross River Rail upgrade.

But Labor says it intends to make good on its last election promise made by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on a visit to nearby Robina station.

The other new railway stations will be at Pimpama and Helensvale North – both growth areas.

"I think that's a really strong infrastructure tick for the Coast in terms of the whole Cross River Rail strategy, in the way it ties the Coast to Brisbane. It's a really positive thing. I don't think the Coast has picked up on the power of it yet, what it will mean for us," Mr Alston said.

While the developers had been given the tick for buildings up to eight storeys, they caution that the intensity of development would be dictated by market demand.

"Greenfield opportunities for house and land on the Gold Coast is a diminishing resource. It's well placed with its centralised location, infrastructure rich with the Motorway on front door," Mr Alston said.

"The services are in the ground. We have the potential for being on the railway. We're talking about a potential school and a mix of dwelling types. It will be appropriately scaled. We will be doing the house and blocks of land first."

Mr Alston said the project offered a point of difference to the "densification of light rail" on the Glitter Strip with its high rise towers.

"This is about families, and giving the ability for people to secure the great Australian dream of a house on a block of land that's usable with modern benefits of a true master planned estate," he said.

"It's not as though we are at the fringe area where you are being forced to live. The benefits of the centrality of the location can't be over stressed.

"It's the ability for people who have been in established houses now for maybe 20-odd years, have some capital growth, they can build a house that they may not have been able to do."

[aldonius]

The Merrimac station (wherever it's going to be, and especially so the further south it is) is always going to be less accessible than the motorway onramp for that development. The GC masterplan doesn't seem to have it on Gooding Dr, but I think it honestly might be the better location. Possibility of bus interchange and legitimate walkup.

[verbatim9]

State body Building Queensland recommends building a  3rd rail line from Kuraby to Beenleigh to alleviate congestion at peak periods. Room for a fourth line will be reserved

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/bundaberg-hospital-and-gold-coast-rail-line-in-billiondollar-pipeline-for-building-queensland/news-story/c6c9617e7a5790a048d711291fc60108

Just how much that could cost is yet to be determined, as is the cost of a Gold Coast rail line between Kuraby and Beenleigh.

"The current track configuration of the Gold Coast rail line is limiting the ability for express trains to effectively pass all stops during peak periods," BQ's report states.

"This is limiting the capacity of the corridor and impacting on service reliability."

BQ will investigate several options to fix the problem, including development of a third track, and plans to preserve a corridor for a fourth to be built in the future.

[#Metro]

Don't agree with 3 track railways. If you build three, use that time to put in a fourth.

[ozbob]

Don't agree with 3 track railways. If you build three, use that time to put in a fourth.

In an ideal world.  The third track allows express running with the peaks, also gives some extra redundancy. 

Melbourne uses 3 tracks extensively on their suburban network and works well.  Only caveat is full bi-di signalling.

[SurfRail]

Perfect is the enemy of the good I suppose.

Worst case - no change
Slight improvement case - three tracks all the way
Better improvement case - 4 tracks Yeerongpilly to Kuraby (which should be doable without resumptions), 3 tracks to Beenleigh
Best improvement case - 4 tracks all the way with realignment
Perfect world - we wouldn't even be talking about further upgrades of the Beenleigh line but looking at something to replace it completely without compromise

Public finances are stretched and can't just be hand-waved away.

[kram0]

Don't agree with 3 track railways. If you build three, use that time to put in a fourth.

100% agree. The cost of labour will only increase over time, so while you have the workforce on hand you may as well find the money and build the 3rd and 4th tracks at the same time. Let's hope this happens as was the case for the Corinda - Darra extension.

[James]

Many years ago, someone on this forum showed that all you need to have 15 minutes to both the Gold Coast AND Beenleigh trackwise is four tracks between Salisbury and Kuraby. The extra track between Kuraby and Beenleigh (Kuraby to Bethania would probably be adequate for now) is only needed for running trains more frequently than every 15 minutes. If you only wanted that in the peaks, three tracks is appropriate. If you need it in both directions, you need four tracks.

As such, the best outcome would be three tracks and a re-alignment of the corridor to speed up trains through the slow section around Trinder Park/Woodridge, with provision for a fourth track.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1021220024508342273

[matlock]

Many years ago, someone on this forum showed that all you need to have 15 minutes to both the Gold Coast AND Beenleigh trackwise is four tracks between Salisbury and Kuraby. The extra track between Kuraby and Beenleigh (Kuraby to Bethania would probably be adequate for now) is only needed for running trains more frequently than every 15 minutes. If you only wanted that in the peaks, three tracks is appropriate. If you need it in both directions, you need four tracks.

As such, the best outcome would be three tracks and a re-alignment of the corridor to speed up trains through the slow section around Trinder Park/Woodridge, with provision for a fourth track.

That's wonderful but then what happens if you add in Flagstone? This isn't just some distant possibility, it's cited in the CRR business case as a major benefit of the project.

[James]

That's wonderful but then what happens if you add in Flagstone? This isn't just some distant possibility, it's cited in the CRR business case as a major benefit of the project.

Not to be a wowzer, but Flagstone is still a distant possibility. The amount of work required to bring passenger rail along this corridor means it won't be open until at least 2030 - plenty of time to put in four tracks Salisbury - Yeerongpilly (a lot of the land is already acquired too). Yeerongpilly - CRR portal will be the fun bit, especially if CRR doesn't include tunnel stubs for 4 tracks to Yeerongpilly like BaT did.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament E-Petition https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/petition-details?id=3138

New railway station for Pimpama

TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the urgent need to fast track the construction of a new railway station, adjacent to the existing road bridge, including the provision of a 500 park-n-ride, to provide a desperately needed additional option for commuters in the Pimpama area. The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that Pimpama on the northern Gold Coast has the biggest growth of any suburb in Queensland and is the fastest-growing outside a capital city anywhere in Australia. With congestion on the M1 above capacity at peak times, the taking of 500 cars off the M1, will assist in reducing congestion and commuters will spend less time stuck in traffic and more time with family.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all in its power to ensure the construction of a new railway station at Pimpama, as a matter of urgency.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Train station budget announced for Gold Coast, but Norm Rix and MP Michael Crandon says it's too late

Additional train stations will be added to the Gold Coast network as part of a $120 million State Government Budget announcement, but their arrival may be "too late".

ADDITIONAL train stations will be added to the Gold Coast network as part of a $120 million State Government Budget announcement, but their arrival may be "too late".

Stations at Pimpama, Helensvale and Worongary/Merrimac have been fully funded as part of the Cross River Rail (CRR) commitment.

However, it will not happen until the 2020-2021 financial year to 2023, and won't open until 2024.

Gold Coast businessman and developer Norm Rix said the bursting northern corridor could not wait that long and work needed to be fast-tracked.

The 84-year-old had offered to build the station on his land next to the Pimpama City Shopping centre and lease it back to Queensland Rail, in a bid to quell ongoing traffic and congestion problems before it was "too late".

The suburb's residents are instead forced to park and ride at often full station car parks at Ormeau in the north or Coomera. Many have been slugged for parking illegally.

The stations are anticipated to be open for the first CRR services in order to ease ongoing congestion on the M1.

The proposal is part of a previous election commitment from the State Government. However, this is the first time funding has been earmarked in the Budget.

The State Government said construction of the stations was expected to support a "substantial" number of jobs.

Member for Coomera Micheal Crandon who had long called for the development said the northern Gold Coast had been 'dudded' by the promises of accessible rail.

"Operation by 2024 is far too late, the people of the Northern Gold Coast need it now, we need it this financial year.

"If they were 'fully committed' the funding would be in the budget — Get the darn thing built now."

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast Helensvale train station took extra 250,000 passengers, but city to wait for train stations

The Gold Coast's busiest train terminal had to accommodate an extra quarter of a million passengers in the past year — but commuters will have to wait years for another station to ease congestion.

THE Gold Coast's busiest train terminal had to accommodate an extra 250,000 passengers in the past year, but commuters will have to wait five years for another station to ease congestion.

TransLink data has revealed that 1,044,211 trips were taken at Helensvale heavy rail station in the 12 months to the end of April, up almost 25 per cent on the year before.

TransLink attributed the growth at Helensvale to the light rail extension.

More than 20,000 extra passengers went through Ormeau station.

Across the Coast, 2,693,116 trips were taken in the 12 months, an increase of 294,047 passengers.

The State Government has been criticised for failing to meet demand in the city's fast-growing north. In this week's State Budget, it said it would build three new stations. However, they will not be ready until 2024.

The timeline has infuriated veteran developer Norm Rix, who said people could not wait.

"Having it up and running by 2024 is just not good enough, people can't wait for that," said Mr Rix, who has offered to build a station at Pimpama within 12 months.

"If the State Government agrees I will sign an undertaking to complete it within 12 months."

"I can't see any reason why they can't proceed with the build commercially, and they can take it out of next year's budget if they have to. It will relieve congestion immediately."

Mr Rix said it was unfair that the northern suburbs had to wait until the Cross River Rail was completed to receive any further investment.

"It is all politics, one would hope they would recognise a crisis is occurring in our northern region and put it all aside."

"The population is going to double in the next three years, so this needs to happen now."

Now that the Gold Coast City Council had agreed to convert an abandoned railway bridge into a road, it made sense to start on the station, he said.

Under Mr Rix's proposal, he would build the station on his land and then lease it back to the government.

However, the State Government continued to stand firm on its timeline of building the three new Gold Coast railway stations at Helensvale North, Worongary-Merrimac and Pimpama by 2024.

"Better public transport is critical for the Gold Coast, particularly its fast-growing northern suburbs," Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said.

"It's why we've delivered the Coomera to Helensvale rail duplication and Gold Coast light rail Stage 2, and are delivering the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail.

"There are a number of ways private industry can put economic development and planning ideas forward to the government, and I encourage Mr Rix to consider those if he wishes to pursue his proposal."

Mr Bailey said the state's stations needed to be designed and built to meet the needs of the transport network, the operator Queensland Rail — and most importantly its passengers.

"That's a complex and technical task and while I have no doubt private developers like Mr Rix can call on resources to get the job done, I don't believe it would be practical or in the best interests of commuters to have a privately owned train station that might be subject to lease conditions or other arrangements that are different to the rest of the network," he said.

The Queensland Government has also committed $4 million to deliver 110 additional carparking spaces at Ormeau station.

The Queensland Government is also progressing design for more than 350 extra permanent parking spaces at Varsity Lakes, to increase the overall capacity at the station to more than 650 spaces.

[dancingmongoose]

Pimpama's bridge to nowhere will be opened around September/October, which crosses the railway line around the location the Pimpama station is planned to be built.

https://www.facebook.com/9NewsGoldCoast/videos/vb.96933606722/610177129470367/

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast railway: Seven new train stations to be built on Gold Coast line


Map of the planned extension of the Gold Coast heavy rail to Gold Coast Airport

SEVEN new railway stations will be built on the Gold Coast line to cope with a rapidly growing population but little is known about where several will go or the cost.

The first three stations are to be built by 2024 and be created as part of Brisbane's $5.4 billion Cross-River Rail project.

The stations, at Pimpama, Helensvale North (Hope Island) and Merrimac have been promised within five years, yet little information has been released.

Exact locations are yet to be determined but the Merrimac station is expected to be built near the proposed $1 billion Pacific View Estates development at Worongary.

The Helensvale North station will most likely be built on the north side of Hope Island Road

It is unknown how much each station will cost.

Developer Norm Rix said he had offered to build the Pimpama Station on his land but said he was yet to hold discussions with the government.

"You would think I would be able to at least talk to someone, but no-one will meet with me."

In a statement, a Cross River Rail Authority spokesman said: "We understand Mr Rix has had contact with the Department of Transport and Main Roads on this. The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority has had no meetings with Mr Rix, to date."

The spokesman confirmed planning was underway for three new Gold Coast train stations.

"The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority is working with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to plan these three new stations and is currently progressing options analysis, concept designs and feasibility assessments,"

"These stations are expected to be open for the first Cross River Rail services on the Gold Coast Line.

"The specific location for the stations at Pimpama, Helensvale North and Worongary/Merrimac will be announced in due course."

Cross River Rail is a 10.2 kilometre rail line from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, with a 5.9 kilometre twin tunnel under the Brisbane River and CBD, four new underground stations and upgrades to existing stations.

The State Government says it will cut 15 minutes off Brisbane-Gold Coast travel and take 47,000 vehicles off the road.

A further four stations will be built on the southern Gold Coast as part of the mooted heavy rail extension between Varsity Lakes and the border.

They will be built at Tallebudgera, Elanora, Tugun and Gold Coast Airport.

Rail bridges crossing the M1 at Reedy Creek Rd, Bermuda St and across the M1 to the western side where the Tallebudgera station will be built.

The railway line will under 19th Ave at Palm Beach, with the route remaining on the western side of the highway south to Elanora.

South of Elanora the trains would pass through a station at Tugun near Boyd St and circle back north to arrive at Gold Coast Airport.

[#Metro]

Let's see ...

7 x $100 million = $700 million.

I'd build the stations on the extension before proceeding with any infill station... if at all.

LRT is the priority here.

[Stillwater]

SEVEN new railway stations will be built on the Gold Coast line to cope with a rapidly growing population but little is known about where several will go or the cost.

The first three stations are to be built by 2024 and be created as part of Brisbane's $5.4 billion Cross-River Rail project.
The CRR spokesman confirmed planning was underway for three new Gold Coast train stations.

"The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority is working with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to plan these three new stations and is currently progressing options analysis, concept designs and feasibility assessments."

Pardon?

The State Government line is that an upgrade and duplication for the SCL north of Beerburrum must wait until CRR is built.  Meanwhile, on the Gold Coast, new stations at Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac are viewed as part of the CRR project running from Dutton Park to Albion, under the Brisbane River.

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority is involved in their planning. Why not the same concession for the Sunshine Coast?  The inconsistency is marked.  There is every justification now to argue that duplication of the track to Landsborough is essential to the efficient and proper functioning of CRR.

Minister Bailey is compromised if he argues that the SCL Upgrade is separate to CRR, with CRR having priority, while his department sees an upgrade to the Gold Coast Line as an essential element of CRR and its prospects of success.

[#Metro]

New transport minister please!

[ozbob]

New transport minister please!

[SurfRail]

Tallebudgera shouldn't be built unless they are planning around the land uses being completely changed in future decades from warehouses, concrete plants and protected areas to something justifying a train.  Elanora and the Airport are the only 2 south of Varsity Lakes that are needed, with Tugun as a maybe.

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.

[Gazza]

The current one is basically in the wrong spot.

I agree, but it'll never happen I bet because kids at the Christian college next door use it, and outcry from them would be enough to derail that plan.

Tallebudgera could be a passive provision, like Ellen Grove (Several years on, still waiting for that suburb to get subdivided to warrant a station  )

[SurfRail]

Yep.

Even an extension just to Elanora right now would be a godsend because it would mean you bypass the most persistently congested stretch between The Pines and Bermuda St and cut the 760 back to run from Tweed to The Pines only.  You'd still have a single seat trip to Robina TC if you wanted to sit on a 765 all day.

[achiruel]

The current one is basically in the wrong spot.

I agree, but it'll never happen I bet because kids at the Christian college next door use it, and outcry from them would be enough to derail that plan.

Tallebudgera could be a passive provision, like Ellen Grove (Several years on, still waiting for that suburb to get subdivided to warrant a station  )

Great, it can have a couple of AM and a couple of PM services and the school can pay for the maintenance/security of the station. 

Realistically though, who ever thought it was a good idea to put Ormeau station where it is?  :conf

It's like it's trying to serve both Ormeau and Pimpama, and failing miserably at both.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Station was planned as far back as 93 IIRC before a lot of the development went in. A few properties in the area were expected to be resumed/acquired by developers but hasn't happened. Similar to Toombul where a TOD was planned and the people selling backed out.

[SurfRail]

When Ormeau was built there was stuff all in any direction for about 10km.  They got it wrong even still because it ended up sitting in the interurban break (tiny though it is).

[AnonymouslyBad]

My impression of Ormeau station is that its location must've been decided at a conference table, by sticking a pin in a map because the spacing between stations "looked too big". After all, at that point in time QR/TMR were only used to monstrosities like the Beenleigh line. It's a wonder they managed to build GC so straight! 
But yes the development attitude of the 90s probably had a lot to do with it as well.

I don't think the infill stations are a smart idea, especially north of Helensvale. The decision smells of politics - I'm sure they'll be "well equipped" with park and ride facilities, doing not much else except padding out the timetable. But then we'll be stuck with them forever just like Ormeau. Why use CRR to speed up Gold Coast trains only to slow them down again?

[#Metro]

I agree. I would leave them out.

You're right they would just be car park magnets.

[SurfRail]

I'm not too worried.  Rail to the CBD still has a market share from the GCCC area of around 70+% and with very strong growth.  The line needs to be more useful to locals to really start pulling its weight and it will be a lot eadier to feed these new stations with buses given the distances involved, especially into Hope Island.

[#Metro]

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.

[Gazza]

Yeah of course cross River rail is needed first that's why they aren't open until 2024.

I don't see the point of merrimac.

Pimpama station is urgent due the population EXPLOSION  in the area, and it's just not workable or fair in the long-term to expect people to travel several kilometres out of their way to reach the badly located Ormeau station.

the Hope Island station will get heaps of patronage because the local roads all pass by. it's so indirect to get to Helensvale or Coomera from there that if you don't build it people will just drive

[City Designer]

The Gainsborough Greens development has really wasted the land next to Pimpama station with 300m² to 500m² standard format lots instead of creating a diversity of smaller products under 250m².

[verbatim9]

I don't think the infill stations will get done or designed when LNP regains power. They are likely to extend the line South to appease the LNP electorates.

[achiruel]

I don't think the infill stations will get done or designed when LNP regains power. They are likely to extend the line South to appease the LNP electorates.

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.