Have your say on Light Rail between Tugun and Coolangatta  

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Consultation will soon begin on the Tugun to Coolangatta alignment of the light rail, as part of the $6.2 million Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 planning project.

This builds on the previous consultation work for options between Burleigh Heads and Tugun.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey called for residents and businesses to have their say.

“Gold Coast Light Rail is a proven success, as the G: clocks up 65 million trips since it’s opening,” Minister Bailey said.

“Stage 4 of the transformational project is planned to link 13-kilometres of southern Gold Coast between Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta, via the Gold Coast Airport.

“The first round of consultation was carried out last year, which focused on the Burleigh Heads to Tugun section.

“Now, we’re calling for those who live in the area to have a say on the Tugun to Coolangatta section to help inform the alignment and design of the corridor.

“All feedback received will feed into the preliminary business case, which we expect to be completed by mid-next-year (2023).”

Minister Bailey hoped to see the same level of engagement as experienced during previous rounds of consultation.

“I promised the gold standard of community consultation and that's what was delivered – a truly unprecedented level of engagement,” he said.

“More than 4100 people attended community drop-in sessions from July to September 2021, and more than 500 online submissions were received on the concept designs.

“Independent market research also told us that 63 per cent of surveyed residents along the existing and proposed corridor support the project.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate welcomed the announcement.

“I praise the State Government for again reaching out to the community on this city-changing public transport project,’’ said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.

“Throughout the construction of light rail since 2010, we have consistently made it a key priority to partner with all stakeholders, including the community, to listen to people’s views and take on board the feedback.

“I strongly encourage people with an interest in the Tugun-Coolangatta section to get involved.’’

Minister Bailey said face-to-face and online consultation would begin on 7 November and run until 25 November.

He said Transport and Main Roads staff would be available at Tugun, Kirra and Coolangatta throughout November – answering questions, engaging with the community and taking feedback on the proposed design.

“Now is the time to get involved,” Minister Bailey said.

“We want to know what you want and need as part of this extension while we’re in the planning phase.

“I’m committed to creating pedestrian-friendly precincts, building in active transport and ensuring station accessibility.

“I’d also like to reassure the local community that any potential impacts to the Coolangatta Police Station and Court House precinct will be worked through as part of this planning and there will be no reduction in services to the community.

“My department will work closely with Police and the Justice Department to suitably relocate the staff and services at an appropriate time.”

Consultation will be based on the outcomes of the Gold Coast Highway (Tugun to Coolangatta) Multi-modal Corridor Study, which identified the preferred route.

This study compared a number of corridor options and deemed the Gold Coast Highway route the most beneficial to community, with less impacts on both wildlife and neighbouring properties than alternatives. This route is also shown to encourage the potential uptake of public transport.

The GCLR4 consultation team will be at Joe Doniger Park, Bilinga, Queen Elizabeth Park and The Strand Shopping Centre, Coolangatta and Tugun Village Community Centre throughout November. A full list of dates and times are available via the TMR website.

The Palaszczuk Government has committed $3.7 million for the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 preliminary business case, along with Gold Coast City Council's (GCCC) commitment of $2.5 million, bringing total funding to $6.2 million.

For more information, and to submit feedback, visit at www.tmr.qld.gov.au/gclr4

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Courtney Thompson - 0433 585 570