Light rail stage 3A: Residents in favour of Burleigh Heads extension

AN independent survey, which polled more than 3000 community members and business owners on the proposed Light Rail stage 3A from Broadbeach to Burleigh, has released its results. And they may surprise you.

MORE than 75 per cent of Gold Coast residents support Light Rail Stage 3A, according to an independent survey.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said more than 3000 community members and business owners provided feedback through community information sessions and an online survey last month.

The independent survey was conducted by external market research company Colmar Brunton with 540 participants and 25,000 project newsletters were delivered direct to letterboxes.

The latest findings come after the Gold Coast Bulletin’s own poll, which found 83.4 per cent of respondents backed the tram line.

“Independent market research specialists also conducted four group discussions and a telephone survey with 500 people, and their report showed more than three quarters of residents and businesses polled supported future light rail extensions,” Mr Bailey said.

“Of the Gold Coast residents interviewed as part of that independent survey, 86 per cent support Stage 3A and 72 per cent of Stage 3A corridor residents and 80 per cent of corridor businesses support future light rail extensions.”

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Mr Bailey said the website was visited by more than 2000 people, however half chose not to complete it.

Of those survey respondents who were not supportive, a number noted the future extension Stage 3B south of Burleigh Heads as their main concern.

The highest number of respondents were from Burleigh and Palm Beach with support split equally in these suburbs

“At the drop-in sessions, 169 written responses were submitted, and feedback generally focused on localised issues and how the project may impact communities along the 6.7-kilometre alignment,” Mr Bailey said.

Mr Bailey said the third stage of the light rail will build on the success of stage two, which has increased patronage by 33 per cent.

The community feedback will be used for Stage 3A’s Detailed Business Case, which is due to be released at the end of this year.

“The reference design maps used at the drop-in sessions provided new information and 3D animated visuals gave people an accurate and realistic view of where the light rail is proposed along the Gold Coast Highway and how it might look,” Mr Bailey said.

“About 750 people had one-on-one discussions on topics of interest as team members were able to explain the design development process, answer general questions and encourage participants to supply feedback.”

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Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A artist impressions and stations between Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads

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Stage 3A is the proposed extension of the Gold Coast’s light rail system from Broadbeach South light rail station to Burleigh Heads.

Trams will run in the centre of the Gold Coast Highway with planning for up to eight stations and a journey time of 16 to 17 minutes.

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Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A artist impressions and stations between Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads

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Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has applauded the results of the survey.

“It reflects on my time at university when you get 75 per cent that’s called a High Distinction,” Cr Tate said.

“That means the community of the Gold Coast have given it the highest distinction for the light rail to go all the way to Burleigh Heads and, from there on, all the way to the airport.

“The people have spoken, the State Government is on board, the Federal Government have already said they are going to put up their hand and, from a council’s view, we said we will fund a similar percentage to stage 1 and 2.

“Now that I know 75 per cent of people are aboard, the other 25 (per cent) can walk.”

Stage 3A consultation is in addition to two earlier rounds of community consultation completed by the City of Gold Coast in 2015 and 2017.

Following the release of the detailed business case, the next phase would be procurement of a construction contractor with the possibility of Stage 3A being operational by 2023.

Burleigh Heads MP Michael Hart, who has previously been opposed to the light rail extension plans, has dismissed the survey results.

“I have no faith in any so called consultation this government does,” Mr Hart said.