Transport Network Vision – Burleigh Heads to Tugun, Gold Coast

A new transport vision has been released by the State Government revealing new opportunities in the southern end of the Gold Coast for the future planning for extensions to the light rail, heavy rail and reduction of road congestion.

Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier of Queensland has outlined that the comprehensive study has identified potential transport options that may lead to future infrastructure investment on the Gold Coast.

“There is $2.3 billion worth of upgrades happening on the M1 right now supporting 2000 local tradie jobs. We’re moving ahead with the second M1 and we’ve connected light rail to heavy rail at Helensvale,” 

“We’ve done so much but there is more work to come”. “We’re building better transport for residents now and planning so that the Gold Coast’s transport network evolves to meet the demands of future.

“I want the Southern Gold Coast to benefit from light rail just as the Northern Gold Coast has”. “Connecting light rail to the airport is also really important for a 2032 Olympics bid.” the Premier said.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has undertaken the two year study between Burleigh Heads and Tugun to consider all transport modes including walking, bike riding, private vehicles and public transport to develop an updated transport strategy that will determine the preferred function of the Gold Coast Highway for the next 20 years.

The study suggests that, once completed, the M1 upgrade between Varsity Lakes and Tugun could reduce traffic on the Gold Coast Highway, presenting new opportunities for pedestrian and bike-friendly boulevards at Palm Beach, Currumbin and Burleigh.

Benefits
The study identified the following opportunities that could be considered in future upgrade projects.

Improved Palm Beach Avenue precinct
– There is the potential to provide alternatives for through traffic so the intersection of Palm Beach Avenue, Gold Coast Highway and Cypress Avenue can be transformed into a pedestrian friendly precinct with the opportunity for street front dining, shopping and urban renewal

Improved connectivity to the M1
– The improved connectivity for northern Palm Beach to the M1 and its new service roads, through a widened M1 overpass at 19th Avenue proposed as part of the $1 Billion M1 Upgrade (Varsity Lakes to Tugun),  would significantly improve accessibility to and from Palm Beach.

Active transport
– There is the opportunity to provide new dedicated bridge crossings for bikes and pedestrians across Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks.

Oceanway
– There is the opportunity to develop a beachfront Oceanway path along the full length of Palm Beach to provide high standard cycling and walking tracks.

Toolona Street
– Associated projects could improve the safety and efficiency of the Gold Coast Highway and Toolona Street intersection by providing alternative access points and reducing the number of traffic movements.

Burleigh Heads National Park
– The existing Burleigh Heads National Park would be preserved, and access improved to the southern entrance via active travel, light rail, bus and car options.

Connectivity to Burleigh Ridge Park
– In order to help protect wildlife and to improve active transport and bushwalking connectivity between Burleigh Heads National Park and Burleigh Ridge Park, a land bridge could be provided, protecting biodiversity by reconnecting ecological corridors.

Mark Bailey, Minister for Transport and Main Roads outlined that the next stage of Gold Coast Light Rail would simplify planning for future heavy rail extensions on the Gold Coast between Varsity Lakes and the airport.

“The current preserved width of the heavy rail corridor next to the M1 means we can’t accommodate future extensions of both light rail and heavy rail along that route”. “Directing light rail along the highway protects the M1 rail corridor for its principal use as a future heavy rail connection to the airport”

“The Gold Coast Highway route would travel close to where people already live, work and go to the beach and service popular destinations including the Burleigh Heads village, Palm Beach village, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Southern Cross University, Tugun, Bilinga and importantly the Gold Coast Airport”.

“The ideas and opportunities this study has identified will be subject to thorough community consultation which starts this month.” Mr Bailey said

Chris Mills, CEO Queensland Airports Limited  welcomed any light rail alignment along the Gold Coast Highway.

“We have long advocated for the light rail to the airport and our preference has been for it to follow the Gold Coast Highway. We are pleased to hear that is the direction that has been recommended by this study”.“About 6.5 million people come through Gold Coast Airport each year and the vast percentage are leisure travellers, so we need an efficient and easy public transport linkage that accommodates visitors to the city and local residents well into the future.” he said.

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Source: Information, Drawings and Images
All article information is sourced and available for review from referenced locations.
Google Aerial and Streetview
Media Statement: Next stage of Light Rail part of vision for the Southern Gold Coast
Information: Multi-modal Corridor Study
Information: DTMR Website
Information and Images: Study Findings Flyer

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