Metro-style buses, coined the “Gold Coast Surfer”, will ferry passengers from Coolangatta to Burleigh Heads and west to Robina, under the Queensland government’s Gold Coast Transport Plan.
The plan is the government’s alternative to the axed stage 4 light rail plan, following community opposition nine months ago.
Premier David Crisafulli said the “generational infrastructure” was reflecting the feedback from those on the southern Gold Coast.
“We are delivering infrastructure for a growing state to protect the lifestyle of the people already here,” he said.
“[This] means better public transport from Robina to the Gold Coast airport. That’s generational infrastructure, and that’s a plan for growth for this city.”
Services to run every 10 minutes
The pitch to service the region with metro-style buses is promised to be completed ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
Under the plan, buses will run every 10 minutes from south-east Queensland’s most southern point, heading north through Palm Beach and Burleigh Heads, as well as west to Varsity Lakes and Robina.
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said a detailed design process would now be undertaken, including determining the means of delivery.
He would not be drawn on whether that would limit traffic on existing roads, which were often congested.
“[Metro-style services], 10-minute headways … that will be a game changer,” Mr Mickelberg said.
“This is about delivering a genuine alternative to getting in the car.
“This is a game changer for the Gold Coast, and we are getting on with the job of delivering the infrastructure,” he said.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, who previously indicated his support for stage 4 light rail, has expressed his support for the initiative.
“Time will tell if it’s the best solution for the city. As Gold Coaster’s we should remain open-minded,” he said.
“All in all, it’s a good day for the Gold Coast.”
Cr Tate said he had consulted on the project three months ago, and the announcement was only one portion of the Gold Coast Transport Plan.
He said he would leave future announcements up to the state government, but the Burleigh Heads Library, which was being converted into a community arts hub, could “potentially” be redeveloped into a bus interchange.
Costs yet to be announced
The government cited enormous costs in its decision to scrap stage 4, with the project estimated to cost as much as $10 billion.
The cost to deliver the Gold Coast Surfer has not yet been specified.
Bond University associate professor of urban planning, Daniel O’Hare, said replacing the light rail with buses would result in “short-term budget savings for perhaps long-term budget pain”.
“Palm Beach, Currumbin, Tugun — it really looks to me like it’s going to mess up those areas,” he said.
“You’ve got just this wall of buses between you and crossing the street.”
Dr O’Hare said it was vital that the metro-buses, which carried half the number of passengers as light rail, connected to Bond University and travelled along dedicated bus lanes.
“That is the risk, that they get stuck in the traffic,” he said.
Bart Mellish, the opposition’s spokesperson for transport, said ending the light rail network at Burleigh Heads had been “a sub-par solution”.
“[The state government] haven’t worked out what happens to Burleigh Heads — whether it becomes a car park, whether it becomes a bus interchange,” he said.
“To put a metro-style bus there, to have to turn them around every 10 minutes which is what they’re proposing, would be absolute carnage.”
David Janetzki said a record $55.9 billion would be tipped into the Transport and Main Roads budget to deliver better roads and rail for all Queenslanders.
A “spur line” off the existing light rail will see the corridor in the north extended from Gold Coast University Hospital to Harbour Town at a cost yet to be announced.
