Burleigh Heads and Tallebudgera council construction works cause ‘nightmare’ for residents
Construction projects in Burleigh Heads have reached a fever pitch, causing widespread disruption and inconvenience. Read the full list of projects
Gold Coast
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Burleigh Heads residents are trapped in a construction “nightmare”, with the start of a third large-scale project kneecapping accessibility in a suburb already besieged by light rail and M1 work.
Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) and the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) lifted shovels on the Burleigh Heads Oceanway upgrade on February 26, despite local concern the timing would severely impact liveability.
Metres from Light Rail Stage 3 construction and a few weeks out from the Easter holiday rush, fencing has gone up along the beachfront from Kelly Ave to Justins Park, where the existing footpath will be widened from 3.5m to 5m.
A GCCC and TMR spokesman said the Burleigh Heads upgrade was “a pivotal segment of the Gold Coast Oceanway” — designed to improve the 36km pathway along the city’s coastline — and should be finished by October, weather permitting.
The Oceanway is one of many active projects in the area, including the controversial Burleigh Hill redesign slated for 2025, lengthy Deodar Drive stormwater drainage upgrades and the Tallebudgera Park/Oceanway project.
Retail and hospitality workers on James Street, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Gold Coast Bulletin the construction noise and traffic congestion were severely impacting their day-to-day lives.
Candidate for Division 13 Josh Martin said many residents and business operators had expressed their concerns “that a lot of Burleigh Heads is surrounded by construction fencing at the moment”.
“While I support the Oceanway widening, the feedback I’m getting from residents is that Burleigh Heads is a real mess right now as they’re dealing with so much construction.”
Mr Martin said he believed council could have “staggered" the construction “in order to minimise the compounding impacts”.
While fellow Division 13 candidate Nikki Archer said providing more space for pedestrians, cyclists and scooters was “commonsense”, she said there was a feeling on the southern Gold Coast that “too much is happening at once and there’s little to no co-ordination between projects to ensure residents and visitors retain decent accessibility to our most popular spots”.
“Construction for state projects is not taking timing of private and commercial projects into consideration,” she said.
“The light rail construction has proved to be a nightmare for residents who are reporting high noise levels during all hours.
“Local businesses in Burleigh are feeling the pain too as their patronage drops. Wahoos on the highway recorded around 90 decibels of construction noise in their premises during their trading hours.”
A pedestrian detour map reveals that during construction two beach access paths will be closed, two will be managed by traffic control and those wanting to walk from North Burleigh to Burleigh Hill will have to use the path that runs along the inside of North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Club.
“While some beach access points may undergo temporary closure, alternate access points will always be nearby, facilitating uninterrupted enjoyment of the beach,” the GCCC and TMR spokesperson said.
TMR said five car parks would be used by construction crew during the upgrades.
“At the end of construction, no parking will be removed,” they said.
The spokesperson said the new pathway was designed to avoid impacting trees, including Burleigh’s beloved Norfolk Pines. They confirmed no pines would be impacted and any other trees that had to be removed would be replaced.
The plans advised Burleigh Heads locals and visitors to expect construction noise, alongside impacts from Light Rail Stage 3 work.
Burleigh Heads resident Chris Goddard said he supported the Oceanway project and it being completed at the same time as the Light Rail Stage 3.
“Why not get it all done at the same time, rather than drawing it out over a longer period of disruption?” he said.
“Burleigh Heads is a bit of a nightmare at the moment with high rise construction, light rail and plenty of added noise at night. However, you can’t stop progress.
“We need to keep up with community needs and allow for growth.”
Burleigh Heads Markets managing director Damon Robbins said, while they were initially told they’d need to shut for eight months due to the Oceanway upgrade, they were able to come to a compromise where only “a small number of market dates are affected”.
He didn’t know what dates would be impacted, but that it would be later in the year.
“We know there will be times when the works will affect us, however, we are excited about the future of Burleigh Heads and the markets past Light Rail Stage 3 (and the Oceanway project),” he said.
“When residents and visitors can ‘ride the G’ down to Burleigh, have a swim, a walk, check out the township, and walk through the markets and then jump on the Second Ave station and head home avoiding all the current traffic/parking issues Burleigh currently faces.”
Visiting Gold Coast residents Sara Vardanega, Anita Benton and Renae Bernardo said on Saturday the construction was “definitely a nightmare”, but that it didn’t deter them from going to the beachside suburb.
Ms Vardenage said while the construction was making Burleigh “not look as nice”, the area needed “a facelift”.
BURLEIGH HILL – JOHN LAWS AND RUDD PARKS UPGRADES
WHERE AND WHEN: John Laws and Rudd Park, Burleigh Heads. Construction 2025 to 2026
Arguably the Gold Coast’s most popular spot for an afternoon picnic or a morning coffee, Burleigh Hill is in the firing line of controversial upgrades.
John Laws Park is getting additional green space, relocated car parks, improved pathways and lighting, and additional picnic areas.
In 2021, Gold Coast City Council said the upgrades would mean the relocation of car parks from the top of Burleigh Hill to Goodwin Terrace and Rudd Park to “create additional green space”.
“The upgrades are needed to maintain the Burleigh Hill experience and ensure it is accessible to everyone,” the plans said.
The City of Gold Coast said the next round of community consultation would happen when a detailed design of park upgrades was released.
BURLEIGH HEADS – LIGHT RAIL STAGE THREE
WHERE AND WHEN: Extension of theGold Coast Light Rail from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads. July 2022 to late 2025.
HOW MUCH: $1.2 billion
Residents in Burleigh Heads are being faced with traffic delays, construction noise and the closure of some of their favourite restaurants.
In July 2022, the State Government appointed GoldlinQ to oversee the construction of Light Rail Stage 3 which will see the route extended from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads.
The construction reduced the Gold Coast Highway to one lane in Mermaid Beach between Markeri Street and Cronulla Ave in July 2023.
Almost six months later, motorists are still faced with lane closures causing constant traffic delays.
In September, Bine Bar and Dining, Night Jar and Okawari House owner Scott Imlach opened up about how light rail stage 3 construction was causing him to lose $15,000 to $20,000 a week at some of his venues along the route.
In March 2023, I Like Ramen owner Dominic Benjamin said they closed due to the flow-on effect from Covid-19 and the impact of light rail stage 3 construction.
The City of Gold Coast said the project was necessary to improve safety and reduce congestion on the city’s roads.
“An extensive light rail project is a key outcome of the Gold Coast Transport Strategy 2031. The strategy outlines the need for a world-class public transport system to get people off the roads and around our city more sustainably,” the plans said.
BURLEIGH WATERS – DEODAR DRIVE STORMWATER DRAINAGE UPGRADE
WHERE AND WHEN: Deodar Drive, Burleigh Waters, August 2022 to October 2024
HOW MUCH: $21 million
Two roads off the Lower Gold Coast Highway have been closed as council continues to upgrade the underground drainage network.
In August 2022, work began on a stormwater drainage upgrade at Deodar Drive designed to increase flood resistance for properties, shops and roads.
The project has involved full road closures for an extended period of time, with properties unable to be accessed by vehicles, restricted parking, school bus route changes and machinery noise for surrounding residents.
Roads including Deodar Drive, Symonds Rd, Clinton Ave and Comet CT have been affected by the works.
Disgruntled Burleigh Waters residents said they felt “upset” about the “double whammy” of Light Rail stage three construction and stormwater drainage works.
Burleigh Waters resident Christine De Brito said she was informed by Gold Coast City Council that she would not be able to access her property via car from the end of March.
“It was suggested I could park my car in a side street for the duration of the works (estimate eight weeks subject to weather),” she said.
“Are they dreaming? The local streets are already congested. What if a local person requires an ambulance?”
In December 2022, the owner of Street Corner Espresso Matt Clowes said he had lost around $200 a day in takeaway coffee sales as a result of the work.
TALLEBUDGERA – TALLEBUDGERA CREEK IMPROVEMENT WORKS
WHEN AND WHERE: Tallebudgera Creek Park, February 2024 to August 2024
HOW MUCH: $3.4 million
A section of one of the Gold Coast’s most popular beaches will be closed to the public for up to six months.
On February 12, construction began on the Tallebudgera boardwalk upgrade which will connect Tallebudgera Creek Park to the Gold Coast Oceanway
The work was tipped to finish in August.
The City of Gold Coast said Tallebudgera Creek beach would be closed to the public east of Neptune Royal Life Saving Club.
“There will be no access to the Tallebudgera training wall or ocean via the beach or boardwalk during construction,” the plans said.
They advised the boardwalk and adjacent access paths would also be closed during construction.
The City said the upgrades were essential as the boardwalk’s condition had deteriorated over time.
“The boardwalk is surrounded by an iconic natural precinct used by thousands of Gold Coast residents and visitors each year and serves as a link on the Oceanway,” the plans said.
The boardwalk will be replaced and widened from two metres to four metres.
It will feature a viewing platform with outdoor furniture and new lighting.
The City of Gold Coast said they needed to remove trees and vegetation to accommodate the widened pathway.
“This is being strictly supervised according to an Environmental Management Plan,” A City of Gold Coast statement said.
“We are also undertaking new plantings to ensure the area is revegetated with appropriate native coastal vegetation”.
TALLEBUDGERA – TALLEBUDGERA CREEK PARK UPGRADE
WHERE AND WHEN: Tallebudgera Creek Park, August 2023 to February 2024
Upgrades to one of the Gold Coast’s most popular beaches were recently completed and 71 per cent of residents say they are satisfied with the work.
The City of Gold Coast “transformed” Tallebudgera Creek Park to improve access for those with disabilities.
“This project will transform the Parkland into a destination foreshore park for visitors that require assistance with their mobility,” the community consultation summary report said.
Other upgrades to the park included more trees, new amenities, an open picnic area, terraced seating and beach access, upgraded barbecues, sheltered picnic facilities, relocated parking bays for people with a disability, improved parking, and new beach showers.
BURLEIGH HEADS AND TALLEBUDGERA – OLD COACH RD UPGRADE STAGE 2
WHERE AND WHEN: Old Coach Road, 2025 to 2028
HOW MUCH: $109 million
One of the Gold Coast’s most popular backroads for Burleigh Heads, Tallebudgera and Elanora residents is in the process of a $109m upgrade.
City of Gold Coast signed off on upgrades for Old Coach Road, including improved capacity for motorists, road safety, community connections and reduced traffic congestion.
Construction is set to resume in 2025 and will continue through to 2028 after design work is completed.
It will include a new road connection to the Exit 87 interchange, a new four-way intersection of Old Coach Rd, Oyster Creek Drive and a link to the Burleigh interchange.
The upgrade will also involve a realignment of Oyster Creek Road to connect to a new intersection.
Another four-way intersection will be completed at Old Coach Rd, Tallebudgera Creek and Tallebudgera Connection Rd, alongside road widening, safety upgrades, shared pathway and cycling lanes.
PACIFIC MOTORWAY M1 VARSITY LAKES TO TUGUN UPGRADE
WHERE AND WHEN: Varsity Lakes to Tugun, to open progressively from 2024
HOW MUCH: $1.5 billion
Southern Gold Coast residents have endured nearly four years of major traffic delays caused by the M1 roadwork, but authorities say a critical section is due to finish this year.
TMR began work on the M1 Varsity Lakes to Tugun upgrade in 2020.
The project is widening a 10km stretch to a minimum of three lanes in both directions.
The upgrades consist of three stages: Package A: Varsity Lakes (exit 85) to Burleigh (exit 87), Package B: Burleigh (Exit 97) to Palm Beach (Nineteenth Ave) and Package C: Palm Beach (Nineteenth Ave) to Tugun (Exit 95).
In November it was revealed the project was hit with a major cost blowout and the state government was forced to commit half a billion dollars to keep the upgrade on track.
At the time Transport Minister Mark Bailey responded to comments made by residents which said the works were taking too long to complete.
“The Varsity Lakes to Tugun (VL2T) upgrade has navigated a number of unprecedented issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent supply chain delays and nationwide cost escalations,” Mr Bailey said.
TMR said works on Packages B and C were expected to be finished in 2024.
The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology then edited and approved for publication by an editor.
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