New Varsity Lakes station design on show
Published Sunday, 13 April, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Sustainable design features and public transport connections planned at the new Varsity Lakes railway station will be on display from tomorrow.
Minister for Transport John Mickel, who unveiled the new station design today, said plans and artists’ impressions of the innovative and eco-friendly station would be displayed until Thursday 24 April at venues including Robina station and Robina Town Centre.
“Sustainable features are an important part of the new station design, which will use solar energy for some of its hot water and electricity,” Mr Mickel said.
“It will be one of the first stations in QR’s urban rail network to be installed with rainwater storage tanks to collect roof water for its bathroom and garden irrigation needs.
“Recycled building materials such as timber, floor systems and reconstituted paving will be used.
“The new station features 300 car commuter parking spaces, 50 secure bicycle lockers, a sheltered taxi rank and bus stop.
“The design also allows for natural lighting and ventilation to utilise existing breeze, particularly in the hot summer months.
“An open plaza concourse, sheltered island platform, overpass and a lift will provide a contemporary transit environment that is safe, accessible and welcoming.”
Mr Mickel said Varsity Lakes station would be the centerpiece of the future Varsity Station Village.
“This village will be Queensland’s first purpose-built ‘transit-oriented development’, which has planned residential, shopping and employment close to major public transport connections,” Mr Mickel said.
Construction of the station starts in mid-2008 and is expected to be completed by 2010.
“The new Varsity Lakes station is being constructed as part of the $324.4 million Robina to Varsity Lakes Rail Extension Project, which involves extending the line 4.1 kilometres south from Robina. In addition, the government is also funding $23.7 million for the adjacent transit-oriented development,” Mr Mickel said.
“Once completed by 2010, this project will deliver twin electrified tracks from Robina to Varsity Lakes, a 300-metre tunnel under Easthill Drive at Robina, three road overpasses and the Varsity Lakes station.
Mr Mickel said the Robina to Varsity Lakes Rail Extension Project was just one of the infrastructure projects currently underway to improve services to and from the Gold Coast.
“In another boost, the first half of the Helensvale-to-Robina track duplication is complete, with the second track between Helensvale and Nerang being commissioned this weekend and ready for trains to operate from tomorrow,” Mr Mickel said.
“The entire second track between Helensvale and Robina will be complete in August 2008, allowing for extra capacity to operate more services from Robina in the longer-term.
“These projects are all part of the Queensland Government’s $82 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan, of which $7 billion has been committed to building a better rail network, delivering 144km of new track and 44 new trains.”
Mr Mickel encouraged the community to have their say on the new Varsity Lakes station design.
Community information sessions with artists’ impressions and plans of the new station will be held as follows:
Staffed displays
Robina station – Wednesday 16 April from 6am-9am and 5pm-7pm, Wednesday 23 April from 6am-9am and 4pm-6pm
Robina Town Centre (next to Target) – Thursday 17 April from 4pm-8pm and Saturday 19 April from 10am-3pm
Unstaffed displays
Robina station – Monday 14 April to Thursday 24 April from 9am-5pm
Robina Town Centre (next to Target) – Monday 14 April to Thursday 24 April during opening hours
Easy T Centre, Varsity Lakes – Monday 14 April to Thursday 24 April during opening hours
For more information about the project, please call 1800 66 22 40 (freecall) or visit www.qr.com.au/seqip.
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944 or Shannon Mackay 3237 1125
13 April 2008
Minister for Transport John Mickel, who unveiled the new station design today, said plans and artists’ impressions of the innovative and eco-friendly station would be displayed until Thursday 24 April at venues including Robina station and Robina Town Centre.
“Sustainable features are an important part of the new station design, which will use solar energy for some of its hot water and electricity,” Mr Mickel said.
“It will be one of the first stations in QR’s urban rail network to be installed with rainwater storage tanks to collect roof water for its bathroom and garden irrigation needs.
“Recycled building materials such as timber, floor systems and reconstituted paving will be used.
“The new station features 300 car commuter parking spaces, 50 secure bicycle lockers, a sheltered taxi rank and bus stop.
“The design also allows for natural lighting and ventilation to utilise existing breeze, particularly in the hot summer months.
“An open plaza concourse, sheltered island platform, overpass and a lift will provide a contemporary transit environment that is safe, accessible and welcoming.”
Mr Mickel said Varsity Lakes station would be the centerpiece of the future Varsity Station Village.
“This village will be Queensland’s first purpose-built ‘transit-oriented development’, which has planned residential, shopping and employment close to major public transport connections,” Mr Mickel said.
Construction of the station starts in mid-2008 and is expected to be completed by 2010.
“The new Varsity Lakes station is being constructed as part of the $324.4 million Robina to Varsity Lakes Rail Extension Project, which involves extending the line 4.1 kilometres south from Robina. In addition, the government is also funding $23.7 million for the adjacent transit-oriented development,” Mr Mickel said.
“Once completed by 2010, this project will deliver twin electrified tracks from Robina to Varsity Lakes, a 300-metre tunnel under Easthill Drive at Robina, three road overpasses and the Varsity Lakes station.
Mr Mickel said the Robina to Varsity Lakes Rail Extension Project was just one of the infrastructure projects currently underway to improve services to and from the Gold Coast.
“In another boost, the first half of the Helensvale-to-Robina track duplication is complete, with the second track between Helensvale and Nerang being commissioned this weekend and ready for trains to operate from tomorrow,” Mr Mickel said.
“The entire second track between Helensvale and Robina will be complete in August 2008, allowing for extra capacity to operate more services from Robina in the longer-term.
“These projects are all part of the Queensland Government’s $82 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan, of which $7 billion has been committed to building a better rail network, delivering 144km of new track and 44 new trains.”
Mr Mickel encouraged the community to have their say on the new Varsity Lakes station design.
Community information sessions with artists’ impressions and plans of the new station will be held as follows:
Staffed displays
Robina station – Wednesday 16 April from 6am-9am and 5pm-7pm, Wednesday 23 April from 6am-9am and 4pm-6pm
Robina Town Centre (next to Target) – Thursday 17 April from 4pm-8pm and Saturday 19 April from 10am-3pm
Unstaffed displays
Robina station – Monday 14 April to Thursday 24 April from 9am-5pm
Robina Town Centre (next to Target) – Monday 14 April to Thursday 24 April during opening hours
Easy T Centre, Varsity Lakes – Monday 14 April to Thursday 24 April during opening hours
For more information about the project, please call 1800 66 22 40 (freecall) or visit www.qr.com.au/seqip.
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944 or Shannon Mackay 3237 1125
13 April 2008