Light Rail stage 3 construction set to hit Burleigh Heads at Memorial Park

Light rail’s construction is making permanent traffic changes as it reaches the heart of Burleigh Heads in the $1.2bn project’s next phase. Find out when work starts and what business owners say.

The Gold Coast Light Rail’s stage three march south will break ground in Burleigh within weeks.

Construction crews will begin “major work” from early July on the next phase of the $1.2bn project, which is taking the tram an extra 6.7km to the southern suburb.

GoldlinQ said work would consist of Energex and utility relocation and widening the road around Memorial Park to allow for light rail tracks in the centre median.

A GoldlinQ spokesperson said they were “liaising closely” with businesses and were open to feedback regarding the construction plans.

Burleigh Heads Light rail stop – Major construction is underway on Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 (GCLR3. Renders from Queensland Government

Memorial Park is wedged between the Gold Coast Highway and a business hub of more than 50 big-name restaurants, bars and retail shops, including Justin Lane, Jimmy Wah’s, Pink Monkey Bar and Grill and the Burleigh Tropicana Cafe.

Cafe owner Brodie Green’s Seadog in the Park venue at Burleigh Heads Bowls Club is one of the closest businesses to construction.

It “presented some challenges and opportunities” for businesses along the planned route, he said.

“I think it’s normal for small businesses to be concerned about changes in foot traffic during the construction phase, but we’ve got it covered,” he said.

“We’ve taken some steps to make sure our customers still have an awesome experience and luckily the bowls club have been super progressive with the changing landscape.”

Owner of Seadog cafe Brodie Green at the site of the Light Rail construction Friday May 26, 2023. Picture, John Gass

Mr Green said they planned promotions to keep customers “entertained and excited” during the works.

“As an example, both our cafe sites will have half-price Sundays through winter when you and a mate ride your bike to Seadog,” he said.

Mr Green said he was looking forward to how the light rail would connect everyone to “the best part of the Gold Coast”.

“I know it’s going to be tough but hopefully everyone can see the long-term vision,” he said.

“People need to just keep supporting their locals, cafes, bars, restaurants and institutions like the bowls club and everyone stay positive.”

The team behind Jimmy Wah’s said they were concerned about losing foot traffic and the customer parking.

“We may lose our outdoor seating area as well,” they said.

A GoldlinQ spokesperson said they were “in the thick” of many underground utility upgrades and relocations were occurring along the planned route.

Mermaid Beach light rail stop – Major construction is underway on Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 (GCLR3. Renders from Queensland Government

“These works (which are) being conducted by John Holland Group are crucial for the project and will safeguard our city’s critical infrastructure as old utilities are removed and replaced,” they said.

GoldlinQ said there would be permanent traffic changes on the Lower Gold Coast Highway from July, which included the removal of the existing northbound traffic lane and parking.

The road would become one-way northbound.

GoldlinQ said they had completed the water and sewer main installations from Pacific Fair Drive to Great Hall Drive.

Traffic was recently moved to a two-lane contra flow on the east side of the Gold Coast Highway in Broadbeach to allow for the installation of the first rail track in the centre of the Gold Coast Highway.

Phases of the Light Rail Stage 3 include:

* PHASE 1: Investigation. Confirming the location of underground utilities. Status – well progressed

* PHASE 2: Relocating and upgrading utilities. Status – underway

* PHASE 3: Road civil works. Changes to roads, kerbs and footpaths. Status – initial work underway

* PHASE 4: Rail civil works. Building tracks and stations. Status – planned for 2024

* PHASE 5: Testing and commissioning. Running trams between Broadbeach and Burleigh for operational and safety system checking. Status – planned for 2025

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