First look: New designs show upgrade of Gold Coast rail station

One of the Gold Coast’s busiest areas will see extra car spaces provided under a new proposed. READ ALL THE DETAILS

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ONE of the Gold Coast’s busiest railway stations will see an extra 500 car parking spaces provided under plans being prepared by the State Government.

The Bulletin can reveal a rethink of future works for the Coomera railway station will deliver 550 car parking spaces as part of an expanded $17 million project.

Bus parking planned for the upgraded Coomera railway station on the Gold Coast.

MPs and councillors are calling on the Government to not just consult the community in 2021 on its business case but begin work on the transport upgrade.

Plans prepared by the government will see:

* car parking spaces to the current parking facility increased by expanding on two new blocks of land, and by reconfiguring two of the existing car park

* a new bus layover facility for four buses within the existing bus facility.

* a new signalised access via Foxwell Road to the eastern carpark with construction to be delivered in stages to minimise impact to commuters.

Foxwell Road entrance for the upgraded Coomera railway station.

Coomera MP Michael Crandon said the Government was “dragging its feet” on the project after finally brokering a 50-50 split funding deal with the Commonwealth.

“The money has been available since 2019,” Mr Crandon told the Bulletin.

“It was a result of me calling a meeting onsite with the regional director Paul Noonan back in early December last year that they started to look to see what other land was available for car parking.

“They are revamping the existing car parks out the back. They are extending the car park out the back. They have also got one on the other side of the road adjacent to the Coomera Town Centre.

“It’s going to deliver in excess of 500 car parks, probably 550. Which is good news but once again we are stuck in the slow lane.”

Coomera railway station to get parking upgrade.

Mr Crandon believes the project was a perfect opportunity to fast track works because the Government had the money and the planning underway.

“But they are only talking about consultation, not firm time lines about construction. We need these sorts of projects. It’s a double benefit of jobs on the construction side but it will also deliver more appropriate car parks we are going to need when back in full production in the State,” he said.

“It makes just sense to start construction in 2021 not just consulting 2021.”

Additional car parking at the upgraded Coomera railway station on the Gold Coast.

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Deputy Mayor Donna Gates, who has posted the station parking images on her Facebook page, also called for the project to be fast forwarded.

“It’s good to see the State getting motivated to address what’s obviously been a long term problem,” she told the Bulletin.

Overcrowding at the car park at Coomera Railway Station.

“The M1’s at a standstill at peak hour yet there is limited car parking and very frustrating for people wanting to use the train from Coomera.

“We want to see the design finalised and funding allocated to move quickly.”

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