New Gold Coast suburb: Rail fail as station planned for wrong location
A decision on the location of a new Gold Coast train station has been labelled a “planning disaster”, with predictions it will create traffic snarl-ups and force road upgrades.
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NEW mapping shows the decision not to build a train station opposite the Gold Coast’s newest suburb could be the city’s biggest planning disaster.
Businessmen have reached out to the Bulletin warning the location for the new Merrimac station south of Pacific View estate at Worongary will create traffic congestion and force road upgrades.
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Councillors on Thursday at a planning committee meeting will vote to approve further stages of the Coast’s newest suburb which will accommodate 10,000 residents, much bigger than nearby Varsity Lakes.
New mapping showcases the estate’s vast education precinct, and how a cycleway and pedestrian bridge east across the Pacific Motorway could be the most cost effective connection to a new station.
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A businessman told the Bulletin: “You have 10,000 people going into Pacific View estate. It is nowhere near the train station (at Merrimac). It makes no sense. It’s ridiculous.
“Pacific View have proposed a pedestrian bridge across the M1 to connect the two precincts. But the Government decided on Merrimac. Residents will now have to be transported out of the estate to the Merrimac station by buses.
“People will object and say they will drive their cars. It means Hinkler Drive (parallel to the M1 on the western side) will have to be upgraded.”
The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, when previously contacted by the Bulletin, said the proposed location was considered to be the best on that particular stretch of rail line.
“CRRDA’s engineering experts GHD conducted a study of the whole section of that line looking for optimal position and the best position was the one selected. It took into account a variety of reasons,” the spokesman said.
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The review encompassed all options from Robina in the south to Nerang in the north and the most suitable location has been selected, the spokesman added.
The Bulletin approached area councillor Glenn Tozer who confirmed arterial roads would need to be upgraded.
“Hinkler Drive is being improved by council over coming years. Funds are allocated,” he said.
“The overpass at Elysium (to the Merrimac station) will need attention from the State in due course and a reconfiguration of the eastern lot owned by PVE, might be a suitable source of developer funds to deliver that improvement.”
Cr Tozer said the council was devising its ongoing transport strategy for its road network based on PVE evolving as planned.
“Frankly, I’m not convinced the State is exercising the same foresight for their road and rail network. We will see as the years pass and the public will scrutinise our decisions,” he said.
Cr Tozer said he had written to the Cross River Rail Minister, and admitted he had concerns for his residents.
“Encouraging rail, bicycle and pedestrian activity and use is essential to reduce future road network congestion in new communities,” he said.
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