Train track closures to impact the Gold Coast, Beenleigh and Brisbane Airport lines on Easter long weekend

Just as we’re set for a bumper Easter tourism season, train track closures and a looming airport strike will put a dampener on those coming to the Gold Coast. See what will be impacted

Looks like the Easter bunny is delivering a basket case for travelling, just in time for the long weekend.

From planes to trains to cars, what’s set to be a bumper holiday for tourism is now under threat from travel chaos.

First, the good news.

The Gold Coast is already the number one Easter destination across the country, according to booking.com data, with the long weekend beginning earlier this year on March 29, also the start of the two-week Queensland school holidays.

Meanwhile, Experience Gold Coast head of visitor economy and corporate relations Rachel Hancock said their own data confirmed a strong season ahead.

“Forward bookings have improved with a solid pick-up of 14 to 17 per cent in the last week alone,” said Ms Hancock.

“What’s encouraging to see is that both the short-term pick-up rate and occupancy rate are in front of the same period last year.

“Easter weekend is sitting at 49 per cent for this year, well ahead of the 39 per cent last year for the same period. We expect to head through 80 per cent occupancy by Easter.”

Now for the bad news.

Gold Coast Titans fans leaving Robina station after a game wait on a train as delays occur due to track work.

While the bookings are booming, so too are the travel disruptions, meaning some of our inbound tourists may struggle to even make it here. First we have heavy rail work set to impact the Gold Coast, Beenleigh and Brisbane Airport lines, and it starts on Good Friday.

The track closures, which will extend through to April 14, are due to Cross River Rail works, with Cross River Rail Delivery Authority CEO Graeme Newton saying people who travel on the Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines should allow extra time and plan their travel in advance over the Easter school holidays.

Mr Newton said the works required continuous and intensive works in the rail corridor, and would include track reconfiguration, signalling and testing at the stations from Dutton Park to Salisbury.

“While the works are deliberately planned for during the quieter school holiday period, we understand some rail customers will be inconvenienced,” he said.

Acting Head of TransLink Peter Milward said alternative travel arrangements would be in place during the closure, including express and all stop rail replacement buses.

Heavy long weekend traffic heading south on the M1 Pacific Motorway towards the Gold Coast from Brisbane. Picture: Nigel Hallett

While trains from the Gold Coast to Brisbane Airport will continue to run along an alternative route, the construction means buses will be required for some routes, adding to the dreaded M1 traffic – always at an highest over the Easter long weekend.

Next, and possibly worse, is the threat of strike action that could disrupt the Easter travel plans for tens of thousands of Australians and overseas visitors.

Aviation firefighters will next week decide on strike action that could start at airports across the country on Thursday, March 28, just before the start of the long weekend.

If successful, the strike would ground planes as the United Firefighters Union of Australia (UFUA) aviation branch would “withdraw nationwide rescue and firefighting services for up to three hours and (include) full work stoppages”.

A Virgin Australia flight at Gold Coast Airport, Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Picture: Supplied, Gold Coast Bulletin

Airlines would be given seven days’ notice to reschedule or cancel flights if the industrial action occurs, which has been sparked by union concerns about fatigue and short staffing problems.

And finally, roadwork rages on.

As well as light rail work on the Gold Coast Highway, the patience of motorists will be put to extreme limits as M1 work continues and continues and continues.

From exit 95 in Tugun through to Exit 87 in Burleigh, from 80km/h speed limits throughout Pimpama, to roadworks around Rochedale and Springwood, it’s going to be anything but a smooth run over Easter.

Add to this an increased traffic police presence, and a staycation suddenly seems like a good idea.

Light Rail Stage 3 construction in Burleigh Heads

Look, when it comes to trains and cars, I understand that we have to make some short-term sacrifices for long-term gains. But does that short-term have to include the Easter long weekend, traditionally one of the busiest travel times across the country?

Can’t we take a break for those four days and start, or start again, on Tuesday, April 2?

As for the possible aviation strike, of course the union chooses the worst time for passengers in order to put pressure on deal-makers. But they sure aren’t winning any friends on the ground.

It’s just too bad the Easter bunny can’t grant wishes like Santa Clause can … although best not to give our transport taskmasters any ideas for future Christmas chaos.

Originally published as Train track closures to impact the Gold Coast, Beenleigh and Brisbane Airport lines on Easter long weekend