Helensvale train station: Multi-storey car park plan announced

A plan has been announced to build a multi-storey car park at a busy Gold Coast train station where commuters are often forced to park their vehicles on grass verges.

A multi-storey car park will be built at Helensvale train station if the LNP are elected to office in the state election in October.

Opposition leader Deb Frecklington, on a visit to the station, said the $30 million project would have 450 spaces, create 90 jobs and encourage greater use of public transport.

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“The parking facilities at Helensvale are hopelessly inadequate and that’s stopping people from hopping on trains,” Ms Frecklington said.

“This area of the Gold Coast is booming and the LNP will invest for growth to cater for the transport needs of this region now and into the future.”

Cars parked on the grass verge on Country Club Drive outside Helensvale Train Station in August last year.

Ms Frecklington added that the construction of the “well-lit” car park would make the station – which has seen a number of crime-related incidents – safer for commuters returning to their vehicles after dark.

“We know that if a carpark is well lit and more secure people feel safer,” Ms Frecklington said.

“There is a crime problem here on the Gold Coast. The rates of crime have gone up. People don’t feel safe when they’re parking their cars on the grass verge. That is why this car park will be fully lit and I will make sure that those safety measures will be put in place.”

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The opposition leader also reiterated a commitment to building the Coomera Connector if the LNP is elected to office.

“I want to see shovels in the ground over there for the second M1,” Ms Frecklington said, gesturing to the site where the road would pass Helensvale Station.

“And over here for the multi-storey car park at the train station.”

LNP Leader Deb Frecklington. Picture: Evan Morgan

LNP Candidate for Gaven Kirsten Jackson said more car spaces in the multistorey Park ‘n’ Ride would mean more people catching public transport.

“Pacific Pines is a major growth area and residents rely on Helensvale Train Station to catch heavy rail connections,” Ms Jackson said.

“At least 100 cars are often parked along the grass on Country Club Drive instead of in spaces, and that shows Labor has failed to plan.”

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The state government has previously announced 185 new car parks at Varsity Lakes station and 110 at Ormeau, but has yet to make a commitment regarding Helensvale.

The government last year also announced plans for three new railway stations on the Gold Coast at Helensvale North, Merrimac and Pimpama.

The Pimpama station will be off the old Gold Coast Highway while the Merrimac station will be located in Gooding Drive, about 750m east of the Pacific Motorway and Gooding Drive interchange.

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