Spurred to action
Western links now on agenda
THE Gold Coast’s light rail system will expand west faster than expected, with two spur lines now on the drawing board rather than just one.
As revealed by the Bulletin this week, a new State Government video showed two eastwest connections were being considered – to Robina from Miami and Varsity Lakes from Burleigh Heads.
The spur lines from the coastline to the Gold Coast’s western suburbs will be prioritised after the tramline is extended south to the border.
The western links would split off from the $660 million Stage 3A, which will run from Broadbeach to Burleigh.
The western links are not expected to be built until the late 2020s but have been welcomed by business and political leaders.
Gold Coast Light Rail Business Advisory Board chairman Stephen Harrison said the east-west spurs were essential to maximising the tram system’s benefits.
“What is great about the Robina and Varsity connections is that they are in the city’s south and would provide the connections to the heavy rail, creating a loop,” he said.
“In this loop you would only be a minute’s walk or drive from the public transport, which is one of the goals of it.”
In a Facebook post yesterday, Mayor Tom Tate declared his support for western routes but not at the expense of Stage 3B, his preferred route between Burleigh Heads and the border through Palm Beach and Currumbin.
“I foresee a day when the light rail will be spurring out west and elsewhere to Robina, Mudgeeraba, Harbour Town, Nerang, Labrador and Paradise Point and other parts of our city as the backbone of our public transport network,” he said.
“The proposal to send the light rail west at Burleigh has been mooted but I am completely disagreeing with it being built down the current Heavy Rail corridor to the airport. That would completely rule out heavy rail down south in our city’s future.”
The Bulletin this week revealed the Federal Government had signed off on committing $112 million towards Stage 3A as part of its reelection bid.
Both the State Government and the council stand ready to commit funds, pending the completion of a business case.
But the building momentum behind the tramlines has sparked fears of what it will mean for the suburbs surrounding the route.
Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens said he was concerned the tram extension would mean a wave of highrises would be built in Nobby Beach.
“The reality is that a tram to Burleigh will result in highrises between the Gold Coast Highway and the beach,” he said.
“I do not think the residents would be pleased with a concrete wall along the beachfront.”