Gold Coast light rail Stage 3B: Gold Coasters urged to have their say

Southern Gold Coasters are being urged to have their say after the fourth and final light rail extension from Burleigh to Tugun was announced this morning.

SOUTHERN Gold Coasters are being urged to have their say after the fourth and final light rail extension from Burleigh to Tugun was announced this morning.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has met with transport minister Mark Bailey, at the Gold Coast Airport today to discuss the proposed fourth light rail extension 3B.

The Bulletin revealed in today’s paper the state government ended years of debate by announcing the last stage of the light rail will run along the coast to the airport.

Currumbin Candidate Kaylee Campradt, Minister of Transport Mark Bailey and Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the Gold Coast light rail is going to Tugun. Photo: Emily Halloran

The decision was made after a two-year study by international consulting firm Jacobs Engineering, which found the controversial coastal route from Burleigh through Palm Beach was the preferred option to complete the tram system’s north-south link.

“Today is a really great day for the Gold Coast. Today we see the release of the designs for community consultations for the final stage of the Gold Coast light rail linking Burleigh to Tugun,” Palaszczuk said.

“I really want the community to have their say. There’s a lot of opportunities here for the continuation of the light rail here to the Gold Coast Airport. It’s absolutely important for this southern end.

FIRST DESIGNS REVEALED AS ROUTE CHOSEN FOR LIGHT RAIL TO AIRPORT

Artist impressions of Gold Coast light rail Stage 3B - Burleigh Heads to Gold Coast Airport. GCB exclusive until March 7 2020. Picture: Supplied

“The southern end of the Gold Coast is booming. There is so much happening down here. And we are seeing more and more people loving the Gold Coast light rail.

“Transport is crucial for connectivity. We’re not only taking about creating extra jobs but how important it is for families, businesses, (the) community, and tourists visiting the Gold Coast.”

Asked Premier Palaszczuk if she would be taking into consideration the feelings of those living in Palm Beach, who are fearsome the light rail will “destroy” the suburb.

She said “absolutely”.

Artist impressions of the light rail travelling through central Palm Beach. Picture: Supplied

“I was the transport minister when we did stage 1. There was a lot of concern initially about that and now people embrace it,” Palaszczuk said.

“We saw how tourists embraced it, the community embraced it. It was utilised extensively for the Commonwealth Games.

“I think we need to levitate those concerns by actually talking to people.

“I think it’s really important the Palm Beach residents have their say.

“There’s options there for promenades, cafe increasings, and I think that’s what the Palm Beach residents will really enjoy.

“We need to make sure we get the community consultation right.
“Please, if you’re living on the southern end here, have your say.”

Southern Gold Coasters are being urged to have their say about the fourth and final light rail extension from Burleigh to Tugun. Photo: Emily Halloran

Transport minister Mark Bailey said the two year study was “a deep dive and very thorough”.

“The Palaszczuk government has invested heavily in infrastructure on the Gold Coast,” he said.

“Light rail stage 2 is done, stage 3 is about to start, two M1 upgrades and a lot of road upgrades for the Commonwealth Games as well.

“What it identifies is the logical place for the light rail to continue past Burleigh and go directly to the airport along the Gold Coast Highway.

“That has the most benefits for Gold Coast residents.

“It also provides tremendous other opportunities as well to develop boulevarding and little local villages along the route, active transport with new cycle pathways.

“This is a very logical and thorough piece of work.”

An overpass would be created to allow animals to cross without getting hit by traffic. Photo: Supplied

Among the biggest supporters of the southern light rail is Queensland Airports boss Chris Mills who welcomed the news, saying it would have many benefits.

“We have long advocated for the light rail to the airport and our preference has been for it to follow the Gold Coast Highway, so we are pleased to hear that is the direction that has been recommended by this study,” he said.

“About 6.5 million people come through Gold Coast Airport each year and the vast percentage are leisure travellers, so we need an efficient and easy public transport linkage that accommodates visitors to the city and local residents well into the future.”