Gold Coast railway: First look at new train station locations

The State Government has today revealed the location and design of the Gold Coast’s next two heavy rail stations. Here’s when they will be built.

THE State Government has released the initial designs for two new Gold Coast railway stations.

The designs show overhead bridges, bus connections and room for extra car spaces at the proposed Helensvale North and Merrimac stations.

and Pimpama railway stations.

They will join the Pimpama station located off the Old Pacific Highway, which was announced last month, as part of an expanded heavy rail line.

The proposed design of the Merrimac station.

Cross River Rail Minister Kate Jones will officially release the designs at a media conference later today.

The Merrimac station will be located at Gooding Drive about 750m east of the Pacific Motorway and Gooding Drive interchange.

The Helensvale North station located next to Mangrove Jack Park, off Hope Island Road.

The location of the proposed Helensvale North station

The locations were determined due to passenger demand, technical feasibility, customer benefits and the impact on the natural environment.

Helensvale North is predicted to attract more than 2800 passengers daily by 2036, while Merrimac would host 2400.

Pimpama – which will provide services for 1400 commuters, 400 of whom from Ormeau and 430 daily from Coomera station – is on the western side of the rail line just south of the major shopping centre.

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Where the proposed Merrimac station will be located

The three stations will cost $120 million and take three years to build, opening in 2024.

“The Gold Coast is growing fast and the Palaszczuk Government is building the infrastructure needed to support this growth,” Ms Jones said.

“Last month I announced the preferred location for the Pimpama station. I’m proud to announce the final locations for all three new stations to be built for the Gold Coast.

How the Helensvale North station is expected to look.

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“More than 120 jobs will be created during construction of these train stations – infrastructure that will help Gold Coasters get from A to B faster and more efficiently.”

Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said the new stations would connect the local communities with greater access to convenient rail services.

“This is a down payment on the future of the Gold Coast,” she said.

Cross River Rail Minister Kate Jones

“We’re building these stations in some of the fastest-growing communities in the city because we know public transport makes a real impact on people’s lives.

“Announcing the station locations is an important milestone and marks the beginning of the next phase of work needed to complete these stations.

The proposed Pimpama station.

“Construction will begin in 2020-21. Before then we need to acquire the land for each station, finalise detailed station designs, then go to tender for procurement of construction partners. With their appointment, construction can commence.”

Ms Scanlon said the Merrimac station would ease demand on the existing Robina station.

Nerang station often has capacity but Robina was under much more pressure, a study had shown.

Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Public consultation is to start immediately with all three stations expected to be complete in about three years and operational with the start of the Cross River Rail network.

“Local knowledge will be invaluable in helping us to finalise these designs. You can give feedback online or you can attend in person at one of the community drop-in sessions,” Ms Scanlon said.

Community consultation is open from today to November 8.