LIGHT RAIL XMAS GIFT
A FUNDING agreement on light rail Stage 3A is expected before Christmas as the council pushes ahead with planning new urban precincts along the route.
Council officers have given a briefing to city councillors revealing a three-year construction period that could mean the tram extension from Broadbeach to Burleigh is open in 2023.
Asked by councillors when a funding agreement would be in place, the officer replied: “A couple of months. Well, we hope so.”
A FUNDING agreement on light rail Stage 3A is expected before Christmas as the Gold Coast City Council pushes ahead with planning new urban precincts along the route.
Council officers have given a briefing to city councillors revealing a three-year construction period that could mean the tram extension from Broadbeach to Burleigh is open in 2023.
“We are better prepared,” a council officer told councillors.
“We are using the time wisely. We want to maintain the project’s momentum in the broader community.”
Asked by councillors when a funding agreement would be in place, the officer replied: “A couple of months. Well, we hope so.”
Pressed further about what was stalling a funding deal, council officers confirmed there was a shortfall of $157 million and Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had to reach agreement on who would foot the bill.
Ms Palaszczuk recently admitted the next stage of light rail was looking “positive” after speaking with Mr Morrison at the Council of Australian Governments meeting.
The State Government this month committed $351 million to the project, the council is budgeting for a $92 million spend while the Commonwealth will provide $112 million – about 16 per cent and way down on the 38 per cent contribution for Stage 1.
Council officers maintain they are “readying” for an announcement and in the meantime working on “corridor readiness”.
Part of that work includes “revitalising around Nobby Beach” and significantly increasing the pedestrian areas and green spaces around Burleigh Heads.
As council officers work on a detailed design element, their plan is to undertake stakeholder engagement early next month.
“We will also look at the corridor north-south but also crossing out into suburbia. What does it look like from a whole corridor design point of view? We want an opportunity to look beyond the kerb,” an officer told councillors.
WE WANT TO MAINTAIN THE PROJECT’S MOMENTUM IN THE BROADER COMMUNITY COUNCIL OFFICER
“We know there will be changes to the local parking system as people try to access the system.
“There will be some loss of parking in terms of the Gold Coast Hwy with the reallocation of kerbside space.”
Council officers were investigating “the metrics of it” and looking at the option of a “more mature and contemporary parking management approach” for the corridor.
“Not just the linear corridor but into suburban streets,” the officer said.
The traffic impact assessment is due to be completed by this year, and the parking study will continue until 2020 when “possible early works” on the route could begin.