Inside Gold Coast Light Rail and council construction headaches for commuters and businesses on Gold Coast highway
Local businesses are trying to stay positive despite pains from light rail works and drainage upgrades, with one shop-owner revealing he is losing around $200 a day in sales.
Gold Coast
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Local businesses are trying to “stay positive” despite pains from Gold Coast Light Rail works and drainage upgrades.
Owner of Street Corner Espresso Matt Clowes has lost around $200 a day in takeaway coffee sales as a result of the works in Burleigh Heads.
His shop sits right in the action on the corner of Deodar Drive and Lower Gold Coast Highway, with road closures having “an affect on business.”
“The problem is the impression we are closed,” Mr Clowes said, with the works blocking the shopfront.
“Customers now know when we have the umbrellas out, we are open, even when it’s raining I put them out there,” he said.
“If I could put a big flare that says open, I would.
Mr Clowes says his customers who typically visit in the 6am and 7am period have continued their support despite limited parking however business past 8am has suffered.
“The 8am grab and go client base have gone, the ones that would quickly zip in and go on their way to work,” he said.
“That access has diminished.”
The former hotelier said he empathises with the disruptions the council had in beginning the network upgrades, appreciates their transparency and understands the need for works.
“We’ve got a good liaison with the council, they are engaged and they are here, they are working with us,” he said.
“You’ve got to be positive, this is difficult but there is still pedestrian access.”
Mr Clowes praised the “incredible community of loyal people in Burleigh,” for consistently coming to the shop but had noticed when there was loud drainage, customers would leave.
“When there is big noise the whole restaurant picks up and leaves,” he said.
“I’m stubborn though, I’ll make it work.”
Bird on a Wire store owner Skye Fisher said although her boutique on Lower Gold Coast Hwy was “a little bit quieter” and the street “less lively” than usual, she had not lost customers.
“On a positive note, I thought the full street was going to be closed, customers can still drive here,” she said.
Although a little worried about the impact of works on business and visibility, Ms Fisher said social media was helping her notify customers her clothing store was open.
“Naturally we feel a little concerned, however the council have been great with keeping everyone informed” she said.
Resident Miranda Tarasiewickz said she felt sorry for businesses, particularly Mr Clowes’, given parking although said this was “always limited anyway”.
“There’s always going to be a disruption,” she said.
“It hasn’t really affected me.”
How long Light Rail construction headaches will last
Gold Coast residents are already complaining of commute pain as Light Rail Stage 3 construction kicks in across three central suburbs.
The $1.2 billion Light Rail Stage 3 project began on October 22 and will end up taking commuters a further 6.7km from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads.
The works have already caused major traffic changes on the Gold Coast Highway, with roads cut to one lane northbound through Mermaid Beach on Tuesday. It also affect Gold Coast roads from just south of Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads to Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach.
Other council works are expected to impact businesses and commuters for up to 17 months as stormwater drainage network upgrades are underway in the Deodar Drive and Lower Gold Coast Highway in Burleigh Heads.
It has been forecast that full but temporary road closures would be required at times and some properties may not be accessible by vehicles and only by foot.
A Queensland Government statement said the works were to “relocate and upgrade major water main, sewer and gas infrastructure”.
But a Burleigh Heads local said it added more than 20 minutes onto their journey via Mermaid Beach to work in the morning.
A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said it was “committed to minimising Gold Coast Light Rail stage 3 construction impacts on residents, businesses and road users as much as possible”.
“When overnight works are needed, advanced notification to confirm dates and times will be provided to directly impacted residents and businesses,” they said.
Contractor John Holland said they intended to maintain through traffic on either side of the Gold Coast Highway during construction to reduce traffic impacts.
They would also stage work to avoid traffic impacts at peak times, monitor and manage travel delay times on the Gold Coast Highway and co-ordinate monthly traffic management meetings.
Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey had warned drivers at the beginning of stage 3 there would be significant delays but it was worth it for the end result.
“Never again will you need to fight for a car park on Burleigh Hill when you and your surfboard can be dropped off at the surf club,” he said.
He appreciated the patience of drivers, he said.
“Stage 3 comes as a $1.2 billion investment in better transport services to maintain the Gold Coast’s great lifestyle – preventing gridlock as the region grows,” Mr Bailey said.
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