Gold Coast railways: State reveals design of new Hope Island train station as public feedback begins

Locals have been given their first look at the detailed design of the new Hope Island train station, with public consultation now open. HAVE YOUR SAY>>

LOCALS have been given their first look at the detailed design of the new Hope Island train station, with public consultation opening today.

The station is one of three on the northern end of the Gold Coast being delivered to support

Cross River Rail, with others planned for Pimpama and Merrimac.

The State Government earlier this month bowed to community pressure to change the name of the Hope Island station, which is had originally dubbed “Helensvale North”.

Artist impression of new Hope Island train station on the Gold Coast. Picture: TMR.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Cross River Rail would make it quicker and easier for

Gold Coasters to commute to Brisbane during peak times.

“We’re getting on with this project not only to create jobs during the pandemic but to take

cars off our roads into the future,” she said.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the station would include 179 car parks with provisions for more parking, a 40-bike enclosure and a range of improved accessibility features, such as two through-lifts on both platforms, six accessible car parks and tactile indicators.

“Feedback from this round of consultation will be used to inform the final design for

construction and the final name of the station.”

Artist impression of new Hope Island train station on the Gold Coast. Picture: TMR.

Mr Bailey said changing the station’s name from Helensvale North to Hope Island was one

of the key pieces of feedback so far encapsulated in the latest design.

“All three new Gold Coast stations will mean greater access to convenient rail services and

easier travel within the Gold Coast as well as to Brisbane,” he said.

Feedback on Hope Island station’s design can be made on the Cross River Rail website until September 18.

Earlier: Name changed following community outcry

THE state government has abandoned plans to name one of the Gold Coast’s new train stations “Helensvale North” after a community outcry.

The station will instead be named Hope Island following what Transport Minister Mark Bailey described as “strong and consistent” community feedback.

“We picked up this desire for a name change early in the process and I’m pleased to announce we are working through the steps required for the name change to be formalised,” he said.

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Artist impression of the new Pimpama Railway station. The Hope Island station is expected to have a similar design.

“A new station for local residents in time for Cross River Rail services is already a fantastic outcome, but we would obviously prefer to give the station a name the community most identified with.

“The three new Gold Coast stations being built by the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority will support our planning for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“While Brisbane is the host city, the Gold Coast will also be home to key venues, so getting the travel between the two cities right is important, not just for the growing communities but also the Olympics.”

Plans for the Helensvale North railway station. It will now be renamed Hope Island.

A detailed design of the new station will be revealed in late August during the next round of community consultation.

It will join two other new stations at Merrimac and Pimpama which will be built as part of the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project.

Major construction will begin in 2022 and it is expected to open in 2025.

Cross River Rail is a 10.2km rail line from Dutton Park in Brisbane’s south to Bowen Hills that will include twin tunnels under the Brisbane River.

Councillor Cameron Caldwell holding up a toy train at the future site of the station site.

Transport officials say it will fix a bottleneck for Coast trains heading into the Brisbane CBD, allowing more services and a 15-minute reduction in travel times.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk first announced Labor’s commitment to the three stations in the lead-up to the 2017 election.

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