Travel Gold Coast Trams/Transport

Experimental

Norm Smith Medallist
May 20, 2012
6,972
9,564
Brisbane
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Other Teams
Green Bay Packers
Just on the Gold Coast news that the 777 bus route will now run double decker buses up and down the Gold Coast Highway from Gold Coast Airport to Broadbeach South tram station. It will include 7 stops and will take an estimated 31 minutes to travel the whole route. Each double decker bus can hold just over 100 people as opposed to the single decker buses that can only hold 50 patrons. Sounds like this is the first of the rapid bus network routes that will eventually be replaced by light rail extensions.
Pretty cool implementation for tourists flying to the GC. When I lived in London, the double decker buses never ceased to intrigue me, so I can only imagine that rocking up to the bus stop from the airport only to march onto a two-level GC bus will be exciting for everyone else, too. Plus the added space and capacity is obviously great for busy days, especially with many new routes having been announced lately.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Pretty cool implementation for tourists flying to the GC. When I lived in London, the double decker buses never ceased to intrigue me, so I can only imagine that rocking up to the bus stop from the airport only to march onto a two-level GC bus will be exciting for everyone else, too. Plus the added space and capacity is obviously great for busy days, especially with many new routes having been announced lately.
Saw the 777s in action tonight. Running frequently to and from the airport. Pacific Fair and Jupiters are going to love this arrangement as it will result in plenty of tourists rocking up to their door step when they transfer from bus to tram. No doubt it would be a novelty to enter a double decker bus as you leave the airport.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Gold Coast Ferries to float by year's end
GOLD Coasters may be catching ferries to work by the end of the year.

After more than a decade of struggling to float the idea, a private operator is in serious talks with the city council and marina authorities to launch a small-scale service.

The Bulletin understands the company behind the project has been linked to a previous attempt to launch a ferry on the Gold Coast.

And if all goes well, the city council will have its own system running within three years.

Waterways Authority chief executive Hal Morris confirmed the fresh proposal was on the table.

“The authority is aware of one ferry operator who is considering commencing services later in 2015,” he said.

“However, this is not an authority initiative and would be required to operate within existing speed restrictions.

“The authority is not considering any proposals for fast ferries on the Gold Coast.”

Under council’s plans now under consideration, an initial link between the Evandale cultural precinct and Surfers Paradise’s Appel Park will be established as part of congestion-busting measures ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Further stops along the Nerang River and the Broadwater would follow later.

The first stage proposal is being backed by Mayor Tom Tate who will this week write to the Gold Coast Waterways Authority to officially request an update on existing ferry use for events and the prospects for future services to Evandale.

Cr Tate said a small first stage system could be built upon to create a larger service.

“How fast we get there will be up to private enterprise that will need to build a business case and demonstrate how new technology can protect residential amenity,” he said.

“For our part, we are continuing to develop public boating infrastructure, including working with the waterways authority on the Appel Park redevelopment.

“A new ferry terminal will also be delivered as part of the first stage of the new cultural precinct linking Surfers Paradise to Evandale by water.”

It comes after a small-scale boat service shuttling revellers between Surfers Paradise and Evandale was tested at last month’s annual Glow festival when more than 1600 people used the ferry in just one night.

A similar service was provided last year and the high use figures prompted Cr Tate to renew serious work on the system.

There has previously been as a proposal for “fast ferries” to run up the Nerang River to Carrara, but this needs changes to marine speed limits.

A purpose-built ferry terminal is to be built in the cultural precinct’s $37.5 million first stage.

A wider service was expected to be boosted by ASF Consortium’s stalled $7.5 billion plan to develop Wavebreak Island, with stops planned for The Spit and its integrated resort.

However, these plans have fallen by the wayside in the wake of the Palaszczuk Government suspending the process.

Before beginning, the service would need to be approved by the Gold Coast Waterways Authority which has responsibility over the Nerang River.

Appel Park’s ferry terminal is about to begin construction as part of a multi-million revamp of the Surfers Paradise riverfront to create a swimming and events precinct.

Ground is expected to be broken on the project within weeks.

Under masterplan documents developed by the council and waterways authority, an existing wharf is being demolished and will be replaced by a viewing platform and a series of pontoons to serve as ferry stops.

Some of the pontoons will be open for public and recreational use.

Good news. The Surfers Paradise ferry terminal looks like it'll be built over the next few months and I guess anything is possible from there.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Fingers crossed the bloke who calls himself the "infrastructure Prime Minister" comes through with the goods.
Have a look at this from an article released today. Hidden agenda revealed?
In a letter to Acting Premier Jackie Trad earlier this month in response to a request for public transport infrastructure funding, Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said there would be no money.

“Unfortunately the Palaszczuk Government’s current position on asset recycling will deny the people of Queensland this much-needed public infrastructure,” he wrote. Mr Truss’ office claims it is yet to receive a formal request for light rail funding from the Queensland Government.
Ms Jones said she could not believe the Federal Government attitude after the asset sales issue was a big factor in the Newman government’s dumping at the last state election.

“We are saying, (to the Federal Government) please listen to Queenslanders,” she said.

“They want to keep their assets.”

That is really baffling. Are they actually that out of touch or are they trying to trick the Labor party into making a mistake?
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Gold Coast tram drives $6 billion development boom
THE Gold Coast is riding the golden rail, with a $6 billion building boom tracking alongside the trams.

The construction zone will be along a narrow 8km corridor, with Broadbeach leading the way accounting for $4 billion of projects and the rest split between Surfers Paradise and Southport.

Powering this investment in tourism accommodation and residential super towers is the light rail, say key stakeholders.

Planning documents provided exclusively to the Bulletin show the Broadbeach skyline could potentially boast up to 23 cranes.

At least four projects, including the Pacific Fair renovation and a new tower at Jupiters Casino and Hotel, will provide a guaranteed $1 billion economic boost from their construction.

Broadbeach-based city councillor Paul Taylor estimates the area will undergo a $4 billion makeover in the lead-up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“There is easily around $3 billion to $4 billion worth of projects going on here right now,” Cr Taylor said.

“We’re building a city, and this is one of the engine rooms.

“These investments in my division are on a big scale.”

Council planning committee chairman Cameron Caldwell said Broadbeach was “living up to its expectations”.

“Broadbeach has benefited from the light rail and the confidence in the market shown by the big investments at Jupiters and Pacific Fair particularly,” Cr Caldwell said.

Geoff Hogg, the Queensland managing director of Echo Entertainment Group, said it was an exciting time for Broadbeach and the Coast.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this resurgence and we are keen to ensure our plans help to further connect the local precinct,” Mr Hogg said.

The Broadbeach resurgence follows investors having targeted old sites along the Southport section of the light-rail route.

Planners confirm that Southport, since being declared a Priority Development Area by the council in October 2013, has had 36 approvals for major developments.

The projects do not include preliminary approvals such as Star of the Sea, Meron St’s “Imperial City” or Cienna.

Southport-based councillor Dawn Crichlow acknowledged the positive impact of the light rail but pointed to the key role also played by the PDA.

“One of the major reasons we have the development there is because we’ve got the PDA,” Cr Crichlow said.

Despite fewer available sites, Surfers Paradise has at least 15 major projects being developed, including the $1 billion Jewel and the $600 million Sunland Mariner’s Cove.

The latest projects include the International Beach Resort along The Esplanade and redevelopment of the Sheraton Mirage after the Aquis Group in recent months targeted those sites.
The amount of development going on between Broadbeach and Southport is mind blowing. If there was ever a question mark over the value of the light rail then you need look no further than these figures. Fact is, the light rail is driving economic development. The combination of the light rail and the Commonwealth Games is changing this city very quickly. Broadbeach is already very nice so I can't wait to see what $4 billion can do over the next three years.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
An example of one proposed for Surfers Paradise a few days ago, one block south of the Q1:

BpKoZrA.jpg

TOuf5qY.jpg


Notice the renders specifically show the tram tracks. There are many, many more just like this scattered along the beach side route from Southport to Broadbeach.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
The PM was on the Gold Coast today and reaffirmed his position that the only way the light rail will receive federal funding is if the State Government sells public assets. We know that isn't going to happen because one of the big reasons Palaszczuk won the election was her anti-asset selling promise. The Queensland public was very much against the selling of assets so why is the PM pushing the State Government to do so? That doesn't appear to be in the best interests of the average Queenslander.

Both the State Government and Gold Coast City Council have committed to fund a third of the light rail extension each and are calling on the feds to fund the remaining third. The first stage of the light rail was funded by the three levels of government so I don't know why we're having so much trouble doing it this time. It'll be mighty embarrassing if we get to the Comm Games 2018 and there is no rail transport link between Brisbane and the Gold Coast despite the fact that it could have been achieved.
 

Experimental

Norm Smith Medallist
May 20, 2012
6,972
9,564
Brisbane
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Other Teams
Green Bay Packers
The PM was on the Gold Coast today and reaffirmed his position that the only way the light rail will receive federal funding is if the State Government sells public assets.
Such a ******* scumbag. Has no interest whatsoever in what the public wants - only what he wants. Stupid campaigner.
 
Oct 24, 2008
14,766
20,310
Mermaid Beach
AFL Club
Gold Coast
Other Teams
GWS, Celtics, 76ers
I am not going to back the PM because I am sick of the lot of them (both sides are lying campaigners) but the Labor party has to pay its own way, you can't just keep saying "I want it but Dad wont give me the money" and IMO they are notoriously bad at doing so (paying for their plans).

They are now putting their grubby hands into the public servant Long service leave fund for Billions, recipe for disaster
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Hospital sale plan to fund light rail

Not a terrible idea. Shouldn't the sale of Gold Coast land be used to improve the Gold Coast? The clock is ticking though. According to the article, construction needs to start in the next 5 weeks in order for stage 2 of the light rail to open before the 2018 Commonwealth Games. It should also be noted that the GC Bulletin revealed figures yesterday that showed over 6 million trips had been taken on the light rail in its first year of operation. Well above the predicted 5 million trips. No one can deny the success of the light rail.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
We're good to go: light rail boss
THE man behind Gold Coast light rail guarantees stage two can be running before the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The Gold Coast Bulletin understands high-level behind-the-scenes talks – including the State Government – are being held as all parties thrash out how to ensure stage two is built pre-Games. It’s understood it is possible as long as expressions of interest for construction are in before the end of this year.

But GoldLinQ chairman John Witheriff said it was important decisions were made soon so work could begin: “We can build it before 2018. If a decision is made quickly we are confident it can be done.

“If the state decide to go, GoldLinQ can get going immediately because we have been working with the department (of transport) for more than nine months now. It is a matter for the state with the council and federal governments to thrash out the funding and say yes or no.”

story-fnvizjmv-1227458269231

The Gold Coast Bulletin last week revealed a decision on stage two would be needed by early September if a rail link is to be completed pre-Games.

Talks between Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at last week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting got hopes up.

Mr Abbott agreed to consider the $500-million project as an extension of the nation’s Games commitment. It means the State Government must rapidly make a new submission to the Federal Government for more funding.

The potential breakthrough comes after light rail celebrated its first year last week.

More than 6.1 million people used it in the first year, 400,000 more than expected.

Mr Witheriff said strong patronage and efficiency made the trams a clear success and this was likely to grow.

“The tram is functioning effectively and pushing up patronage for all public transport by 25 per cent,” he said.

“The past few months we have worked at 99 per cent efficiency, which means we leave on time and get there on time.

“Gold Coasters are starting to buy into it in a big way which is amazing because this kind of support for public transport has never happened here before.”

Mr Witheriff, who had a hand in the successful bid for Toowoomba’s $1.6 billion Second Range Crossing project which secured $317 million of Federal Government transport funding, said it was up to the Government to decide how other projects affected light rail funding.

Is this a different John Witheriff or does he just speak better when it comes to his role as chairman of Goldlinq? Apparently the Federal Government is considering granting an extra $500m in funding for the light rail as an extension of Comm Games funding. Whether it's that extension that seals the deal or something else, I just hope this gets sorted very soon. If it does get approval, I'd say it's very likely an extension to the GC airport will be on the cards for the opening of the major upgrade in 2021. By that point, you could make the argument that the Gold Coast finally has an extensive public transport network.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
City leaders push ferry as a congestion-busting alternative to take pressure off roads in 2018
FERRIES are being pushed as a congestion-busting concept for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

With the focus on gaining a tram-to-train light rail link at Helensvale by 2018, councillors, MPs and community leaders are all looking at other measures to ease the number of cars on Gold Coast roads.

The Heart of the City Committee has backed the use of ferries between Metricon Stadium and the Broadwater, with stops at Evandale, Surfers Paradise and Southport.

Committee Chairman Max Christmas said ferries would be a step towards bringing the Gold Coast into line with other major cities with water-based public transport.

“There have been talks going on for about 18 months with the council including people who worked on the Brisbane CityCats system,” he said.

story-fnvizjmv-1227463899535

“A lot of work has gone into this possibility.”

The Bulletin understands negotiations are ongoing with a private operator to launch a service in conjunction with the council’s own efforts to create a water-based public transport.

Under the council’s plans an initial link between Evandale and Surfers Paradise’s Appel Park would be established before the 2018 Commonwealth Games with stops along the Nerang River and the Broadwater later.
It specifically mentions Metricon Stadium again.
 

Experimental

Norm Smith Medallist
May 20, 2012
6,972
9,564
Brisbane
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Other Teams
Green Bay Packers
I would love to get a ferry from the city to Metricon for a Suns game. Combined with train -> bus link to Metricon from Nerang Station, Tram -> bus link to Metricon from Broadbeach South, the ferry would bring a lot more people and ease the pressure on the bus system.

When you take into account now irritating it is for people living on northern GC to get to Metricon, a ferry system from Southport would be fantastic for them. I just hope it's a part of the Go Card/Translink system and not a private company.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
I would love to get a ferry from the city to Metricon for a Suns game. Combined with train -> bus link to Metricon from Nerang Station, Tram -> bus link to Metricon from Broadbeach South, the ferry would bring a lot more people and ease the pressure on the bus system.

When you take into account now irritating it is for people living on northern GC to get to Metricon, a ferry system from Southport would be fantastic for them. I just hope it's a part of the Go Card/Translink system and not a private company.
Do the ferries in Brisbane accept the Go Card?
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Yep, sure do. The readers are at each of the entry/exit points of the ferry itself - very easy to use.
Then I can only assume the same would happen on the Gold Coast. However, the above article does suggest private ownership...

Perhaps a similar outcome to the Brisbane Airtrain will occur on the Gold Coast where they push for the BOOT scheme. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they did that for light rail stage 2. Then again, the preference does seem to be to stay away from private investment. Maybe the Gold Coast Airport will eventually get involved when they start taking the light rail south.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
State Government releases light rail extension proposal and opens expression of interest
A NEW 7.3km route has been selected for the Gold Coast light rail as the State Government rapidly moves to securing funding from Canberra.

The Palaszczuk Government will today announced a short expression of interest campaign for stage 2 will kick off on Monday, allowing the market to help determine the final cost of the project.

The Bulletin can exclusively reveal a new, shorter route has been selected which, if funded, would allow trams to connect with train with time to spare by the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The new route will run from the existing Gold Coast University Hospital station to Helensvale heavy rail station and will make the 7.3km journey in just 11 minutes.

This is more than seven minutes faster than the alternative route along Olsen Ave and the State Government says it can be delivered for less than half the cost and in a significantly shorter time frame.

Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad will visit the Gold Coast this morning to announce the new route with Mayor Tom Tate.

Ms Trad, speaking exclusively to the Bulletin, said the timing would be “tight” but it could be done.

“It is going to be tight there is no doubt about it but we believe that given the expert advice given to us that it can be built in that time, but we just need the Commonwealth to respond quickly,” she said.

“We have moved mountains to do this and it is important that we recognise a lot of work that has been done behind the scenes to determine if it can be built and done within the time frame.

“Due diligence has been done around the state financing its contribution and it is important to note that any state funding would be offset by savings.”

Ms Trad has met with Cr Tate and council CEO Dale Dickson in recent weeks and gained a commitment from city hall.

The Bulletin last month revealed Prime Minister Tony Abbott had opened the door to the light rail extension for the first time, agreeing to consider the project as an extension of the nation’s Commonwealth Games commitment.

Ms Trad said it was up to Mr Abbott to make a move and commit to stage 2.

“Now that the Prime Minister has finally indicated he will consider a funding request, we are doing everything we can to get this project over the line,” she said.

“With the Games around the corner, we will continue to advocate for this project and deliver a

“If the Commonwealth refuses to come on board with a funding contribution of the same proportion as stage one, any chance of this project proceeding in time for the Commonwealth Games will be dashed.

“We look forward to Mr Abbott’s urgent and prompt assessment to make stage two possible before the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.”

Link to a video that shows the entire stage 2 route

Looks like the State has just taken a significant step into making this a reality. It would appear the plans include three new light rail stations (Parkwood East, Parkwood and Helensvale) with two connecting to the heavy rail line. It also looks like they plan on building an infill heavy rail park n ride station at Parkwood. So, essentially, you can get on either heavy rail or light rail at Parkwood or Helensvale. Getting from Helensvale to Gold Coast University Hospital in seven minutes does sound good.

Now we wait for Abbott's response to see if this will actually happen. We should know in the next few weeks.

vKfA3Uu.jpg

zchCsZq.jpg
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Gold Coast City Council votes to commit an extra $10m to second stage of light rail
SECURING light rail stage 2 is one step closer, with Gold Coast City Council committing $10 million to make trams-to-trains a reality.

The city’s 15 councillors spent more than three hours this morning reviewing the $1.1 billion budget and voted to put $10 million uncommitted surplus towards funding the project, which has the backing of the State Government.

Council documents reveal a total surplus for the 2014-15 financial year of $149.2 million.

Read more in tomorrow’s Gold Coast Bulletin.

Just need the Federal LNP to commit.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Abbott slams door shut on GC light rail funding

Why am I not surprised? It's ridiculous that our federal government is flat out refusing to provide any funding for a much needed piece of infrastructure unless the state sells public assets. The QLD Labor party isn't going to go back on their promise and start selling assets (which is the big reason they got voted in) so we're stuck at a stand still. Our city is going to be embarrassed on the international stage just because this clown has a vendetta over anyone that's against sale of public assets.

Stupid.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Does anyone think Turnbull will give up the moolah needed for light rail stage 2? Here he is riding the GC light rail earlier this year:

374656-2d8374d6-5acc-11e5-81af-05aeacc1e5bf.jpg
 

Experimental

Norm Smith Medallist
May 20, 2012
6,972
9,564
Brisbane
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Other Teams
Green Bay Packers
Does anyone think Turnbull will give up the moolah needed for light rail stage 2? Here he is riding the GC light rail earlier this year:

374656-2d8374d6-5acc-11e5-81af-05aeacc1e5bf.jpg
Surely he will. He won't isolate the LNP stronghold of the GC like Abbott did.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Surely he will. He won't isolate the LNP stronghold of the GC like Abbott did.
The LNP have a clean sweep of the GC seats at both the federal and state level so I guess it's possible they won't look at it as a priority. Hopefully they do though.
 

Experimental

Norm Smith Medallist
May 20, 2012
6,972
9,564
Brisbane
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Other Teams
Green Bay Packers
The LNP have a clean sweep of the GC seats at both the federal and state level so I guess it's possible they won't look at it as a priority. Hopefully they do though.
They don't need any more reason to decrease their already dwindling popularity. Funding the GC light rail would do them wonders.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
7,751
7,041
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
They don't need any more reason to decrease their already dwindling popularity. Funding the GC light rail would do them wonders.
It didn't seem to do Anna Bligh any wonders but I guess that was before the city realised it was a priority. I think the cut off is the end of September for the funding to be secured so that stage 2 is ready in time for the 2018 Comm Games.
 
Back