How the trams can move fast to the border as transport plan emerges for Gold Coast

NEW data reveals the Gold Coast light rail could be arriving at Gold Coast Airport much faster than expected thanks to a decision which has had an unexpected consequence.

WORKS to widen the southern section of the M1 will allow the extension of the light rail through Burleigh to be fast-tracked.

Council reports and data collated for the Gold Coast Bulletin’s Golden Age campaign show allowing for extra traffic on the improved M1 will lessen the burden when construction begins on Stage 3 of the light rail from Broadbeach south.

The federal and state governments have agreed to spend $2 billion upgrading key bottlenecks of the M1.

About $500 million of work is currently underway to widen the Pacific Motorway from four lanes to six between Mudgeeraba and Reedy Creek.

A council source told the Gold Coast Bulletin: “Stage three of light rail cannot be approved unless the M1 is fixed. You need the extra carriageway on the M1 before you can start mucking around with the trams going south.”

GOLDEN AGE: THE LIGHT RAIL GRAND PLAN REVEALED

Light rail at Broadbeach. Picture: Jerad Williams

Other light rail findings include warnings from council officers against destroying the southern Coast’s village atmosphere.

The Gold Coast Bulletin’s Golden Age survey found:

• 82 per cent of respondents supported a tram extension, and 79 per cent want it to be to the airport.

• 65 per cent want that Coolangatta extension within three years.

• In terms of feeder lines, 42 per cent believe the biggest priority is Robina to Cbus Stadium, 33 per cent to Nerang past Carrara Stadium, and 24 per cent to Harbour Town.

• 57 per cent support extension of the trams north to Labrador, Runaway Bay, Paradise Point and Hope Island.

State 3A of light rail will see the tracks extend from the tram terminus at Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads. The second stage, 3B, takes trams to Coolangatta via the airport.

In a new report on the “vision” and “corridor shape” for the stage 3A, council officers warn “it is critical that the unique coastal lifestyle is respected”.

“To respect the sensitivity of existing coastal villages and lifestyle along the southern Gold Coast, the land use planning approach within Stage 3 will be very different to Stages 1 and 2,” the report says.

Council must ensure “preservation of natural features” such as beaches and headlands and “green connections” such as parks.

GOLDEN AGE: WHY LIGHT RAIL MUST GO TO ROBINA

Art work used in consultation for Light Rail Stage 3A.

But much of the detail is missing with large chunks of comments redacted.

The report says council has completed two rounds of consultation on different routes for Stage 3. The findings “indicated greatest community support for Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads and Burleigh Heads to Gold Coast Airport extensions”.

All information about the “timing” of the light rail extensions was removed.

But in another light rail planning report, officers warn “we simply do not have room to accommodate the forecast increase in road use over the next 10 to 20 years”.

Without an option like light rail to decrease car use “the prosperity and liveability of the Gold Coast will be jeopardised”.

Large sections of that report showing “the extent of urban renewal and transformation” about the track have been removed.

Councillor Pauline Young wants Burleigh to retain its village style atmosphere. Photo: Jerad Williams

Councillor Pauline Young said the M1 would need to be upgraded to take more traffic before work could proceed south on the light rail.

The new reports signalled the light rail heading south would not encourage a Surfers Paradise-style skyline, she said.

“I have lived in Burleigh for 50 years. You don’t want to see that type of high-rise in Burleigh. We have a village-style atmosphere. We want a point of difference,” Cr Young said.

Council would undertake further consultation and a detailed business study could be completed by the end of the year.

“We could aim to get funding (from the federal and state governments) next year. We have more young creative business people coming into Burleigh. They are establishing businesses because they know demand will increase with light rail.”

Palm Beach-based councillor Daphne McDonald, who opposes light rail through the coastal suburb, said the trams would require an 8.6m corridor along the highway which would impact road space.

She believed the southern end of the Coast could see Surfers-style skyline towers because developers were putting forward and getting approval for applications beyond City Plan limits.

“You could potentially have buildings that are boundary line to boundary line along a few kilometres on the strip. We have seen that happen in Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise,” Cr McDonald said.