What's wrong with this picture?
Frankly there is a lot wrong with TMR's proposed Light Rail transport solution for the southern Gold Coast. To help you understand the big picture we've prepared the following:-
STAR BRIEFING OF ISSUES
This Briefing Paper hopefully will provide reasonable background information that will assist you in responding to the TMR Light Rail Community Consultation. This is a summary of why S.T.A.R. exists and how we are attempting to help you bring about the outcomes you want.
Our objective
S.T.A.R. is a local community group founded to explore and influence a better public transport system than the Qld State Government’s current proposed Stage 4, Light Rail, Gold Coast Highway route from Burleigh to the Airport. We aim to ensure a proper community consultation process that considers all options and alternative routes both rail and alternative technologies. Our communities deserve a transport outcome that is sustainable, connected, flexible, and inclusive for all ages, abilities and needs.
You deserve to be informed and have your say
The following five points represent our objectives for sensible decision making. An illustration of relevant issues under these five headings follows:
1. Financial responsibility
2. Liveability and Amenity
3. Mobility and access issues
4. Fit for purpose
5. Planning and development overlay
Financial responsibility
The narrowness of the southern end of the coast creates convergence and potential duplication of expensive infrastructure (light and heavy rail both servicing the Gold Coast Airport).
A number of alternative routes have been tabled by STAR however no alternative modelling appears to have been tested by the State to justify the Gold Coast Highway route.
There has been no open and transparent dialogue on the cost/benefit analysis or post implementation review of light rail stages 1 & 2 which begs the question: Is there a risk of proceeding with further stages?
The current procurement model using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) places the Government and community at risk to take on the liability and cost of an aging asset at completion of the term of the PPP.
Liveability and Amenity
Light Rail will impact on Quality of life in two main areas: Liveability and Amenity as noted below. Community responsibility and communication has been sadly lacking in this debate.
There is insufficient space for tree planting
Access to the beach will be restricted by prioritisation of the tram.
The world class amenity of Burleigh Hill, Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks and Currumbin ridge could be degraded by the Light rail infrastructure
The impacts on Amenity in terms of noise, visual, traffic and access has not been fully tested.
Mobility and Access Issues
The Gold Coast Highway at Palm Beach has insufficient width within the road reserve to provide a pedestrian friendly boulevard with cycle lanes and light rail infrastructure
Traffic circulation and parking will be further exacerbated when a significant portion of the current roadway is allocated to the rail corridor.
Car Parking is currently in demand and will be aggravated by loss of on-street car spaces on the highway and the increase in density requiring residents to park on the street.
Fit for purpose
With changes in technology, it is doubtful the current infrastructure will be fit for purpose after the completion of the route.
The location of the Light rail may beat the risk of impacts from sea level rise, storm surge as a result of climate change.
Planning and Development Overlay
The Gold Coast City Council is promoting this approach increasing height and density of development which erodes the current coastal village character.
The current light rail alignment along the coast does not maximise a centrally located corridor catering for 800m walk up of patrons either side of the infrastructure corridor.
We believe the City Plan does not adequately address the balance between character, amenity of existing residents and increase in density on land development parcels