The Gold Coast’s public transport revolution continues with the Palaszczuk Government today unveiling the final designs and locking in $5.2 million to build 350 new commuter parks at Varsity Lakes train station.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey revealed the designs, giving Gold Coast commuters their first look at the upgrade, and said it comes as another 125 parks turn online in the city’s north with the completion of $4.2 million, 14-job Ormeau Park ‘n’ Ride, and construction continues on the Gold Coast’s $790 million light rail upgrade.
“The way Gold Coasters travelled 10, 20 years ago is totally different to today. We’ve seen that with 50 million trips on light rail and record patronage on public transport before COVID-19 hit,” Mr Bailey said.
“That’s why we’re transforming the city’s transport network. We’re building new park n rides across the coast, including at Varsity Lakes, as well as light rail to Burleigh, three new train stations on the northern Gold Coast and $2.3 billion in M1 upgrades.
Tenders for construction are expected to be called for the Varsity Lakes project in coming weeks and includes formalising temporary car parks opened up during the Commonwealth Games.
“During the Commonwealth Games temporary car parks were opened at Varsity Lakes station to accommodate travelling visitors and staff, and those parks will now become permanent fixtures together with 185 brand new spaces.
“The Gold Coast is Australia’s sixth largest city and only going to grow. In the long term we’re getting on with the Coomera Connector, building a business case for light rail stage 4 with council and commencing a study aimed at better bus connectivity with light rail, train stations and Robina Town Centre.
Mr Bailey said the Varsity Lakes project would importantly create another 15 jobs as the Palaszczuk Government continues to deliver Queensland’s plan for economic recovery.
“We’ve seen throughout 2020 global economies including Queensland’s hard hit by COVID-19. Thankfully, Queenslanders have been stepping up and because we continue to manage the health impacts of the global pandemic, we’re able to deliver $24 billion in transport and road upgrades creating 21,500 jobs.
“It means diggers, machinery and workers will move from Ormeau straight into the Varsity Lakes upgrade, supporting the economy and easing those parking pressures at Varsity Lakes as people head back onto the train network.
“The Palaszczuk Government is getting with the transport and roads projects for the Gold Coast after years of neglect by the LNP when they cut $1.6 billion from state roads and didn’t secure a single new dollar on the M1.”
