New southern Gold Coast light rail route to run west of Burleigh, joining heavy rail and missing Palm Beach
A new southern route for light rail will bypass Palm Beach and join up with the heavy rail line. SEE THE FULL NEW ROUTE
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A NEW southern route for light rail has been proposed, calling for it to run west of Burleigh and join heavy rail before switching back to the coast near Tugun, completely sidestepping Palm Beach.
The Southern Gold Coast Think Tank, a group which includes planners and architects, has put forward the alternative tram extension in a brief sent to the office of Transport Minister Mark Bailey.
SGCTT spokesperson Philip Follent, the former City Architect, said that instead of heading south from Burleigh along the Gold Coast Highway, the light rail could veer west past Treetops Plaza Shopping Centre to the Boral quarry near the M1 before joining the proposed heavy rail route.
The trams could then head south across Tallebudgera Creek to Elanora before veering east again over Currumbin Creek to Stewart Road at Currumbin, near the warehousing sector, and finally south to Tugun and the Gold Coast Airport.
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In an email to Mr Bailey’s chief advisors, Mr Follent wrote: “I believe the route from Burleigh to Coolangatta has all too easily been adopted as the most expedient – seemingly shortest route but with unrealistic costings in relation to the city’s most undulating, environmentally sensitive topography and creek crossings as well as scant regard for social impacts.
“Any replication of the harsh urban outcome of Stage 1 has no place in southern Gold Coast.”
Mr Follent is a supporter of light rail but with proper planning that improves urban areas.
In the submission, the SGCTT made key points:
• The southern end coastal route was too narrow, and light and heavy rail should remain parallel and duplicated to the airport.
* The current coastal route would cost $4.7 billion compared to $2.6 billion for the alternative going west.
• Going along the Gold Coast Highway would not maximise a central corridor catering for 800m walk up either side for “value uplift”.
• The land development parcels along the coast were traditionally small blocks requiring amalgamation and would result in poor quality urban design outcomes.
• Coastal community feared a change in character resulting from height and density.
• The impact from a community, environmental or amenity perspective on the proposed alignment or any alternatives had not been explored.
“If a true business case and public consultation is to be undertaken then alternative routes need to be discussed publicly and reasons given for the dismissal of alternative routes,” Mr Follent told the minister’s department.
Burleigh MP Michael Hart posted about the alternative tram route on his Facebook page, saying “it’s so important to have all options on the table”.
Mr Bailey’s office confirmed a 12-week consultation program, which would include the opening of a shopfront at Palm Beach where residents could discuss the project proposal, would start next year.
The department maintained the Gold Coast Highway route had the greatest potential for mode shift to public transport as it was close to where people already lived and followed the alignment of the existing frequent trunk bus route.
“If the light rail went down the M1 corridor there would be insufficient room for heavy rail. Furthermore, buses would still be required on the Gold Coast Highway to cater for the existing and future demand,” advice to the department said.
“As the population continues to grow, the Gold Coast Highway would become busier and buses would become less reliable. Additional public transport investment would be required along the Gold Coast Highway, possibly in the form of bus lanes.
“Dedicated bus lanes would likely take up the same amount of Gold Coast Highway road space as light rail but not perform at the same level of service.”
Originally published as New southern Gold Coast light rail route to run west of Burleigh, joining heavy rail and missing Palm Beach