Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4: Full details of route between Tugun and Coolangatta

Plans to accelerate construction of the light rail’s fourth stage to the border before work on Stage 3 is even completed is gaining momentum. SEE THE VIDEO

CITY leaders are pushing to accelerate construction of the light rail’s fourth stage to the border before work on Stage 3 is even completed.

Gold Coast City Councillors have voted 13-2 to support the Burleigh to the border tram extension and will urge Transport Minister Mark Bailey to back designing and building the first two bridges for the tramline across Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks as part of the Stage 3 works.

If successful, the bridges will be built in 2024-2025.

Mayor Tom Tate welcomed the support of his colleagues for the push and said the city cannot afford to wait more than a handful of years to build the bridges given the spiking cost of materials.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey. Pic Mike Batterham

“I’m delighted our council, through a 13-2 majority, has again backed light rail Stage 4 because this vote confirmed the need to accelerate detailed design work for this final stage and I will be writing to Minister Bailey this week to articulate the decision,” he said.

“Let’s get the job completed. I have publicly stated that design for Stage 4 (Burleigh to the airport and Coolangatta) will include two vehicle lanes either side through the Palm Beach section. That is what is there today so that is a huge win for everyone as it means the current number of vehicle lanes running through the Palm beach section today will remain the same.

Artist impression of light rail stage 4 showing the bridges at Tallebudgera Creek

“What’s important is that we have everything ready for Stage 4, as soon as the current Broadbeach-Burleigh section is completed and we must avoid accelerated construction costs as the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics loom and the best way to do that, is move straight into Stage 4, after Stage 3 is completed.’’

The two bridges are understood to be among the most challenging aspects of Stage 4.

Anti-tram activists oppose the location of the bridges, warning they will have a significant and negative impact on the environment.

Queensland. Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

It comes days after the Bulletin revealed the first look at the final section of Stage 4, between Tugun and Coolangatta.

No time frame has been given for the project but it is expected to be completed in time for the 2032 Olympic Games, with construction to begin after 2025.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey has long maintained he is in favour of the work beginning on the bridges early – as long as the council foots the bill.

Artist impression of light rail stage 4 showing the bridges at Currumbin Creek

“Our focus right now is getting on with the fully funded Stage 3 from Broadbeach to Burleigh,” he said.

“I welcome Mayor Tate’s enthusiasm for light rail to the airport. If he and the Gold Coast City Council would like to fund and build a fauna bridge in advance of the business case for Stage 4 then I’d be very supportive of them doing that.”

FIRST LOOK: HOW LIGHT RAIL WILL TRANSFORM COOLANGATTA FOREVER

CENTRAL Coolangatta will be transformed as new images reveal Chalk Street as the end of the line for the $2.7bn light rail extension.

The route the Gold Coast light rail will take south of Tugun to the border has been revealed for the first time as the state government launches community consultation on the project.

No time frame has been given for the project but it is expected to be completed in time for the 2032 Olympic Games, with construction to begin after 2025.

End of the line: Where the light rail will terminate at Chalk Street. Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the business case for Stage 4 would be completed in mid-2023 and be shaped by community consultation.

“Gold Coast light rail is a proven success, as the G: clocks up 65 million trips since it’s opening,” he said.

“The first round of consultation was carried out last year, which focused on the Burleigh Heads to Tugun section.

Several key intersections have been changed. Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads.

“Now, we’re calling for those who live in the area to have a say on the Tugun to Coolangatta section to help inform the alignment and design of the corridor.”

The final stage of the tramline’s coastal route will run down the eastern side of the Gold Coast Highway, replacing the median strip and some on-street parking which separates the arterial road from Golden Four Drive. The existing trees will be retained

The tram exiting the Gold Coast Airport precinct. Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads.

There will be six new stations built on the connection, along with the nine stations, two new bridges and wildlife overpass ­featured in the first section of Stage 4.

The highway will largely remain at four lanes, with reconfigured intersections and access to Desalination Plant Road, Surf Street, Coolangatta Road and Johnson Street.

Artist impression showing how the tram will enter the Gold Coast Airport precinct. Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The tramline will cross the highway turning into the Gold Coast Airport precinct on Terminal Drive’s southern entrance and transport hub on Tom Norris Drive to service both the airport and Southern Cross University.

The state government notes that Gold Coast Airport will “confirm the light rial route and station location service the airport precinct as part of their masterplanning process”.

The tram will travel between the Gold Coast Highway and Golden Four Drive. Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The plans also note the location of a possible future heavy rail station, which is the subject of a separate project.

A tram stable and driver facilities will be created at the southern end of the SCU campus bordering the Gold Coast Highway where the tramline crosses to Musgrave Street and onto Coolangatta Road.

The tram will turn through and largely replace the existing Lanham Street Park, Coolangatta police station and magistrates court.

There will be six new stations in the second section of Stage 4. Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The line will terminate at the intersection of Chalk and Warner streets in front of Coolangatta Bowls Club where a public plaza and transport nub will be created around the existing Adrian Maher Car Park.

The business case for the project is expected to be completed in mid-2023. Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Mr Bailey said changes to Coolangatta would be discussed during the consultation.

“I’d also like to reassure the local community that any potential impacts to the Coolangatta Police Station and Courthouse precinct will be worked through as part of this planning and there will be no reduction in services to the community,” he said.

“My department will work closely with Police and the Justice Department to suitably relocate the staff and services at an appropriate time.”

Mr Bailey, vowed the community consultation, including face-to-face and online sessions between November 7 and November 25, would be “gold standard”.

The tram station on Coolangatta Road. Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The tram stable area south of Gold Coast Airport and SCU. Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads.

One of the stations on the Gold Coast Highway. Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The tram route entering Chalk Street. Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Artist impression showing how the tram will enter the Gold Coast Airport precinct. Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads.

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Originally published as Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4: Full details of route between Tugun and Coolangatta