Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A: Two western tram spur lines likely to be built to create loop with heavy rail

THE Gold Coast’s light rail system will expand west faster than expected, with two spur lines now on the drawing board rather than just one. And here’s when they will likely get built.

THE Gold Coast’s light rail system will expand west faster than expected, with two spur lines now on the drawing board rather than just one.

A new State Government video revealed by the Gold Coast Bulletin this weekshowed two east-west connections were being considered — to Robina from Miami and Varsity Lakes from Burleigh Heads.

The spur lines from the coastline to the Gold Coast’s western suburbs will be prioritised after the tramline is extended south to the border.

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The tram will first head south — then west.

The western links would split off from the $660 million Stage 3A which will run from Broadbeach to Burleigh.

The western links are not expected to be built until the late 2020s but have been welcomed by business and political leaders.

Gold Coast Light Rail Business Advisory Board chairman Stephen Harrison said the east-west spurs were essential to maximising the tram system’s benefits.

“What is great about the Robina and Varsity connections is that they are in the city’s south and would provide the connections to the heavy rail, creating a loop,” he said.

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The Burleigh to Varsity Lakes future spur line

“In this loop you would only be a minute’s walk or drive from the public transport which is one of the goals of it.”

In a Facebook post today, Mayor Tom Tate declared his support for western routes but not at the expense of Stage 3B, his preferred route between Burleigh Heads and the border through Palm Beach and Currumbin.

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The Miami-Robina spur line.

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“I foresee a day when the light rail will be spurring out west and elsewhere to Robina, Mudgeeraba, Harbour Town, Nerang, Labrador and Paradise Point and other parts of our city as the backbone of our public transport network,” he said.

“The proposal to send the light rail west at Burleigh has been mooted but I am completely disagreeing with it being built down the current Heavy Rail corridor to the airport.

The proposed western Gold Coast light rail spur line from Burleigh Heads to Varsity Lakes. Picture supplied by Gold Coast City Council.

“That would completely rule out heavy rail down south in our city’s future and while heavy rail southward is not on the federal Government’s current funding priorities, nor in the foreseeable future, I do not think the City should be ruling it out forever corridor planning wise.”

The Bulletin this week revealed the Federal Government had signed off on committing $112 million towards Stage 3A as part of its re-election bid.

The light rail station at Nobbys Beach.

Both the State Government and Council stand ready to commit funds, pending the completion of a business case.

But the building momentum behind the tramlines has sparked fears of what it will mean for the suburbs surrounding the route.

Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens said he was concerned the tram extension would mean a wave of high-rises would be built in Nobbys Beach.

“The reality is that a tram to Burleigh will result in high-rises between the Gold Coast Highway and the beach,” he said.

“I do not think the residents would be pleased with a concrete wall along the beachfront.”

Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens is concerned there will be more high-rises appearing around the Gold Coast Highway.