Beenleigh’s transport hub has fallen behind the times, but there is a lot to like about ideas being proposed in response to the Queensland government’s multi-million-dollar Gold Coast to Logan rail project.
That’s the view of Robert Dow who heads up one of the state’s most respected public transport advocacy groups.
While submissions for the project have closed, new details have emerged about the bold ideas being proposed to breathe new life back into the town.
The big focus of recommendations boils down to whether Beenleigh station should remain put or relocated to the middle of town.
RAIL Back On Track’s Mr Dow said the project will be crucial to urban renewal efforts in Beenleigh.
“It is a once in a lifetime type opportunity this, once in a generation, and if you’re going to do it you might as well make it really worthwhile for Beenleigh,” he said.
“The overall effect will be to improve Beenleigh considerably and make it a more attractive destination as well.”
Public submissions closed on October 29. It could be months before the community learns how the government decides to proceed, but Mr Dow said they have made a strong case for Beenleigh.
“I’m fairly confident that what’s in place now, in terms of this project, there’ll be a very good outcome, but that’s why we pushed Beenleigh pretty hard,” he said.
Beenleigh train station was a strong focus of their recommendations to the government.
“Beenleigh station is really quite sad and needs to be improved, from the passengers and operational sides of the network,” he said.
“Currently the pedestrian links into the town centre of Beenleigh are unpleasant and exposed to the elements.”
RAIL Back On Track’s vision for the project is two-fold. The first strategy is based on upgrading the current station. This might require part demolitions, track realignments, a new bus interchange, a multi-level carpark, and landscaped pedestrian strips to connect with the town centre.
It would also mean extensive reconstruction of the Alamein St overpass to cater for the additional lines in and out of the town.
The second strategy is to relocate the station 500m west to its original location so that it integrates better with the town square.
RAIL Back On Track’s submission said: “A new station would be 9-car reader with 225m platforms, and have a major entry from Beenleigh City Square with a street level bus interchange.”
Mr Dow said this would be more affordable and better for the town.
“The benefit of this would be averting costs and disruptions of having to quadruple the Beenleigh tunnel, and avoid having to reconsider the stabling yard,” Mr Dow said.
“It would be closer to Beenleigh mall and the City Road retail precinct, government offices, and directly adjoin the city square.”
