Gold Coast Public Transport (incl Light Rail Projects)

[historyworks]

Ah well, sounds just like NSW! My sympathies. As you say, you can at least get a nice reservation laid out so that it can be converted in the future when more enlightenment prevails.

[Macca-GC]

Oh don't worry, Ron Clarke WILL be kicked out at the next election (march). At the last election, he promised the world(raising Hinze Dam, Desalination, tunnel beneath Surfers, fixing all of our road problems. ect. Then he discovered that he is just one of 15 voices on council. And one of 15 votes. Yeah, he's gone for sure. We can't stand him.

Rob Molhoek for MAYOR!!!

[TOCC]

how good would it be if the rail line was extended to Tweed Heads, and then back up the Gold Coast Highway(tunnell underneath) all the way past broadbeach/surfers/southport back along Smith St and meet back up with the current rail line.

That would be close to the best transport system any australian city could possibly have.

[Macca-GC]

Well not really. Because then what you have is basicly two corridors with good service and really only one connection between the two. Cross-city services(Nerang-Southport, Nerang-Broadbeach, Mudgeeraba/Robina-Broadbeach, Robina-Burleigh) would be still have to be run by buses.

Don't get me wrong, it would be BETTER, but it definately wouldn't be the best. I support a through-running LR network. Helensvale-Burleigh via Southport, surfers and Robina, Nerang-Elanora via GC hwy, South Tweed-Paradise Point via GC Hwy

[brisbanite]

Does anyone know where this project is up to? Have they decided yet on the mode, light rail or buses? It would be a travesty if they decided on a bus system ahead of light rail.

[l_blue_l]

Due to Nimbys in surfers paradice the projects consoltation period has been extened. Due to the relocation of the new gold coast hospitial the northen route is still to be decided.

The mode is to be decided by the Queendland Governorment when the CDIMP and business case is submitted.

[Tyson]

Did something get figured out in regards to light rail tracks potentially conflicting with the Indy track? I thought I read that somewhere.

[KJBrissy]

They wont conflict. But the locals are annoyed that the Indy car determined the route of the track!

[Tyson]

Originally Posted by KJBrissy

They wont conflict. But the locals are annoyed that the Indy car determined the route of the track!

Ah ok! I remember reading something about how either the circuit would have to be changed or the light rail line would have to detour around it. I was wondering if they'd worked it out. But in anycase, it's not that big of a detour is it? And they would still be able to use the light rail while the indy is on right?

[KJBrissy]

Both statements are correct. The locals were annoyed about the extra congestion during construction and the resumption plans.

[joninbrisbane]

Originally Posted by l_blue_l

Due to Nimbys in surfers paradice the projects consoltation period has been extened. Due to the relocation of the new gold coast hospitial the northen route is still to be decided.

The mode is to be decided by the Queendland Governorment when the CDIMP and business case is submitted.

When has the consultation period been extended to?

[l_blue_l]

*looks at the translink website*

Not too sure when consultation period been extended to because it doesnt give any details on that on the tanslink website about the updated consultation period. The Gold Coast City Council did approve some sort of extention to the consultation. It shouldnt be too long (a month or so) untill they realise more details on the project.

[l_blue_l]

Improved Coast transit plan on way

31Dec07

AN improved draft proposal of the $600 million Gold Coast Rapid Transit System will be unveiled early next year following widespread criticism of the initial plan.

The RTS has been embroiled in controversy since the Southport to Broadbeach route was unveiled in September.

But Translink, the Queensland Government body whose job it is to deliver the public transport solution, is working through the 'teething problems'.

Translink spokeswoman Anna Carroll said it had received about 1300 submissions by telephone, email and mail during the consultation phase.

"It has definitely assisted us in knowing what we can do to improve the preliminary plans and still operate a good-quality transit system," she said.

Translink will respond to 50 written submissions next month and will deliver its near-completed final map, which will include more details.

"We have always welcomed that public feedback and interaction with stakeholders because in a lot of cases they can assist us in our planning process," said Ms Carroll.

"The new map will lose the fat lines and be very specific, focusing on things such as effects on traffic lights, the wear of the road, the exact location and widths of the footpaths."

Southport and Surfers Paradise have remained problem areas for the Translink team, with continued concern over bus interchanges and a transit mall in the heart of Southport.

Resumptions along Surfers Paradise Boulevard have also concerned residents.

Ms Carroll said the Southport cemetery, primary school and Owen Park section of the route were also close to those sensitive areas and would be monitored closely alongside local stakeholders, including the Southport Chamber of Commerce.

The Helensvale to Griffith University stage of the route is yet to be finalised, with Translink liaising with Queensland Health and Education Queensland.

That section has remained under wraps because it will access the crucial hospital and university precincts.

A final decision on the preferred mode and preferred routes will be made mid-2008, with the preliminary planning stage expected early in the new year, possibly before the March council election.

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/...oast-news.html

[Brissy_Lad]

Litttle bit on timing here:

http://www.oum.qld.gov.au/docs/pdf/S...v7_partB-4.pdf

http://www.oum.qld.gov.au/?id=411

[tic]

Looks like light rail may be firming in favouritism

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/...top-story.html

[historyworks]

Originally Posted by Brissy_Lad

I can tell you the slab system for the rail at the southern end of the runway is there, I'm doing some work for the airports terminal extension and there's a layer marked as existing rail slab and fits in precisely where that map says its going (might have gone in as part of the underground system for the bypass). The track network isn't shown, but they have what looks like the southern loop pencilled in (currently as a fence line with vehicular tracks either side.

But this would be for the GC railway extension, not the rapid transit proposal?

[Tyson]

Originally Posted by tic

Looks like light rail may be firming in favouritism

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/...top-story.html

I hope so! Light rail is the way to go IMO. Although I don't really think that the Parsons Brinckerhoff rumour is worth all that much. It's a shame this project has become such a political football when in reality they should just get down there and build it.

[joninbrisbane]

Originally Posted by historyworks

But this would be for the GC railway extension, not the rapid transit proposal?

Keep in mind that PB don't just build tramways. They also build Busways, commuter railways and guideways.

[Brissy_Lad]

There's also notes on one of my SCU GC campus drawings rail under it, loops around from I dunno, site plan isn't big enough.

[brisbanite]

Originally Posted by tic

Looks like light rail may be firming in favouritism

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/...top-story.html

I really hope so! I agree with Tyson that this has been a political football and just get on with building it. It would be a shame if they took the easy way out and make it a bus-orientated transit system.

I am sure that tourists and locals would much prefer to use a tram or light rail system as there is a certain romanticism involved in using trams as opposed to buses as well as the benefits of increased capacity levels. From my personal experience in travelling, light rail is a much more user-friendly form of public transport as you know exactly where you are going as buses can be a bit more ambiguous.