Students and staff of Bond University are being urged to have their say on Stage 3, the southern linkage of the light rail route and vote for Option 2A (the light blue route) from Nobby Beach to Robina.
The University's immediate interest is in relation to Idea 2 on the City of Gold Coast’s community consultation map – the "east-west spur" which is designed to link the heavy rail with the existing light rail route that runs north parallel to the beach (i.e. Gold Coast Highway).
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Tim Brailsford said in 2013 the University, together with some other major stakeholders, commissioned a feasibility study of various routes.
“Planning for Stage 3 has been under discussion for several years and the University has been involved in various discussions with other stakeholders and the Gold Coast City Council,” he said.
“The University supports Option 2A from Nobby Beach to Robina; the light blue route.
“This route picks up a large population base, runs past the University on Cottesloe Road and provides a direct connection through to Robina Town Centre and the heavy rail at Robina Station.”
Professor Brailsford said Option 2B (the green route) was not supported for a number of reasons, including:
- the proposed route would be more challenging and costly to build as it must traverse a waterway and existing sections are under flood markers. The associated cost is likely to delay any decision and push the build out by many years.
- this route is likely to cause major disruption and involve changes to the Varsity Lakes precinct which would necessitate either permanent closure of roads and/or resumption of major properties thereby impacting on local residents and our students.
- the route is likely to require the construction of a major interchange on Bermuda Street thereby slowing traffic flow on an existing busy roadway.
- the route would take longer in time and is unlikely to be appealing to commuters and students travelling to Robina given alternate bus ways.
“The Mayor has asked for community input, and I urge all students and staff to have their say,” he said.
“You can either submit your preference through GC have your say or speak in person with representatives who will be available at Robina Town Centre.
“This is an important issue in relation to the long-term development of our area. Please talk to your neighbours and local community and urge them to support Option 2A.”