Gold Coast light rail: the untold story of its impact on traffic and lifestyle

A new report has revealed impact of light rail on traffic in some of the busiest parts of the Gold Coast. And it’s not all good news for backers of the system.

LIGHT rail has caused a dramatic decrease in traffic in the Gold Coast CBD and along the congested canal estate at Chevron Island, according to a new report to the council.

But the Gold Coast Highway through the heart of Surfers Paradise continues to be dogged by substantial increases in traffic.

Several reports prepared by council officers working with the Griffith University Cities Research Institute were presented today to councillors at council’s planning committee meeting.

Light rail outside Gold Coast University Hospital . Picture Glenn Hampson.

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They were told the trams had been a “resounding success” since light rail began operating on the Coast since July 2014.

“But light rail does not operate in a vacuum — it is a transformational piece of infrastructure that is changing our city around it,” the report said, looking at its impact on several fronts.

Key findings included a 44.6 per cent decrease in vehicular movements in Scarborough Street, between Young Street and Short Street at Southport.

Traffic had also decreased 18.8 per cent on the Gold Coast Highway south of Ada Bell Way, and 14.4 per cent on Thomas Drive between the East Bridge and Stanhill Drive at Chevron Island.

But the Gold Coast Highway between Elkorn Avenue and Cavill Avenue had recorded a 23.4 per cent increase in traffic. The data covered the years 2015 and 2017.

The report also found a net increase at eight pedestrian locations.

Pedestrian numbers along Hooker Boulevard between the Broadbeach South Station and Pacific Fair had increased by 104 per cent.

Overall there had been a 20.1 per cent increase in average of trips per day on the trams, and that increase had been boosted to 27 per cent following the opening of the second stage to Helensvale in December 2017.

Light rail heading to Helensvale. Picture Glenn Hampson.

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In terms of average daily boardings, the biggest increases were at Broadbeach South station (31 per cent), Gold Coast University Station Hospital (16.7 per cent) and Cavill Avenue station (15.9 per cent).

Researchers found that between 2013 and 2017, at least 1600 metres of inactive frontages across the light rail corridor had been replaced with “active” properties.

Council data for development applications show 80 projects were approved between January 2016 and December 2017.

The approvals were “dominated by a few large developments at the northern end of Mermaid Beach, Burleigh Heads, northern Palm Beach and Kirra” with smaller and medium rise projects scattered throughout the corridor.

“Roadside dining venues overall have increased throughout the corridor,” the report said.

“There have been significant increases in Southport and Broadbeach venues, while Surfers Paradise and Chevron Island have seen declines.”

Planning committee chair Cameron Caldwell said light rail had sparked a “reinvigoration of the centre of our city”.

Council planning committee chair Cr Cameron Caldwell talking up light rail. Picture: Richard Gosling.

“People are moving around much more easily on the light rail and it has been an outstanding success,” Councillor Caldwell said.

Given the boost in population, the council had expected there would be an increase in traffic movements across the city including Surfers Paradise, he said.

“But the light rail provides a really good alternative for people to get out of their cars and get onto public transport,” Cr Caldwell said.

“I think that the light rail exceeds all expectations. It delivers wonderful public transport on a day-to-day basis but also services our events. It will be wonderful to see further expansion of the light to deliver more public transport services to the rest of the Gold Coast.”