SPEEDY TRAM TALKS
Community consultation accelerated to avoid resident backlash
THE Gold Coast City Council is moving to consult faster with the community on the effects of extending the light rail from Broadbeach to Burleigh, to avoid a backlash from residents.
Community feedback had demanded “a clear preference for engagement to start earlier and more often throughout the planning process”.
A report outlines the $1 billion project’s next steps.
THE Gold Coast City Council is moving to consult faster with the community on the effects of extending the light rail from Broadbeach to Burleigh, to avoid a backlash from residents.
A report by officers debated by councillors at Thursday’s planning committee meeting outlined the road ahead for the $1 billion project.
Community’s feedback “revealed a clear preference for engagement to start earlier and more often throughout the planning process”.
“This has guided a revised approach to the engagement and points of engagement, before planning policy is set,” the report said.
Councillors will be asked to endorse a draft Gold Coast Light Rail Stations Neighbourhood Framework that will allow for the eight stations on the 6.7km Stage 3 line to differ in their layout in the corridor.
Officers said the Burleigh Heads Business Centre Place Based Master Plan was being prepared and the final round of community consultation was occurring this month.
The council and Transport Department will start consultation to inform the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 business case in July.
“It is intended that the initial community engagement for the neighbourhood framework occur after the master plan engagement and before the Gold Coast light rail Stage 4 to limit any potential community confusion regarding the purpose and scope of each engagement,” the report said.
Officers said community reference groups (CRG), including residents and members of the business community, would be convened with the expectation that representatives attend collaborative workshops focused on specific station neighbourhoods.
It was important for the selection process to ensure a “diversity of perspective members”.
The CRGs will develop a precinct plan and a shortlist of potential members will be brought back to council for endorsement.