- Goldmine Road in Ormeau will be upgraded as part of the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP)
- Upgrade includes constructing permanent entrance for rail facility
- Miles Government delivering upgrade in partnership with the City of the Gold Coast
- Adds to major public transport commitments on coast, including three new stations and ongoing light rail construction
The Miles Government and the City of Gold Coast are partnering to upgrade a critical section of Goldmine Road in Ormeau as part of the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program. The delivery agreement includes the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and the City of Gold Coast contributing funding for the design and construction of this work.
Combining the upgrade of Goldmine Road with the rail facility entrance will minimise construction impacts on the nearby school, residents and road users. The Miles Government has listened to community feedback about the need to minimise the impact of the rail facility on Goldmine Road.
The Goldmine Road upgrade early design includes:
- Widening the existing lanes (adjacent to the City of Gold Coast's upgrade at Lahrs Road)
- Laying new asphalt to replace the existing surface
- Improving flood immunity including installing kerb and channel and new drainage
- Installing off-road shared user paths to improve active transport options
- Creating a new intersection for the rail facility entrance, with dedicated turning lanes into the rail facility to keep through traffic moving
- Installing dedicated pedestrian crossings at the rail facility entrance to improve safety
The design of the Goldmine Road upgrade and rail facility entrance is in the preliminary stages with construction scheduled to commence late 2025. Traffic assessments are underway to inform the rail facility entrance design, including whether the entrance will be signalised. TMR will keep the local community informed as the design progresses.
Site investigations to inform the design are scheduled to start in late August 2024 – this will include survey, ecological studies and asphalt testing.
Construction of the Ormeau rail facility – will be used for train maintenance and stabling – is currently underway. This package of works is part of the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, which will support 1,300 jobs throughout the life of the project.
As stated by Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing, Glenn Butcher:
"The Miles Government is proud to deliver the QTMP; a program that is bringing train manufacturing back to Queensland.
"In late 2023 we asked people for their insights and feedback on the Ormeau rail facility concept design and minimising the impact on Goldmine Road was the most common feedback we heard.
"We are proud to partner with the City of Gold Coast to deliver this upgrade, which will improve safety for all road users in the local area.
"The Queensland Train Manufacturing Program is creating local jobs right here, right now and will continue to benefit our community.
"The LNP does not back the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program and they don't back local jobs – the Member for Kawana is saying one thing to locals, while Stephen Bennett called the project a 'road to nowhere'."
As stated by Gaven MP, Meaghan Scanlon:
"We're doing what matters for the Gold Coast, investing in better roads and public transport.
"Right across the city, Gold Coasters are seeing the Miles Government deliver the second M1, major M1 upgrades, the next stage of light rail and three new train stations.
"This new facility will play an important role in the growth of our train fleet and network, all of which will benefit our Gold Coast."
As stated by the City of Gold Coast Acting Mayor, Donna Gates:
"The second stage of the Goldmine Road upgrades ensure the fast-growing region is not left behind when it comes to transport.
"Not only is this project about safety for road users but it also delivers safe shared pathways for active travel.
"We have listened to the feedback provided by residents and we are committed to ensuring they have the infrastructure they need."
Further Information:
- QTMP will build 65 six-car passenger trains at a purpose-built manufacturing facility at Torbanlea in the Fraser Coast region. As part of the program, a new rail facility will also be constructed at Ormeau, on the Gold Coast to stable up-to 20 trains (any trains on the network).
- Construction of the facility commenced in late 2023 and is scheduled to be completed in late 2026, weather and construction conditions permitting.
- The design of the rail facility is progressing and will consider community feedback collected during consultation undertaken between December 2023 and March 2024.
- The final design of the rail facility is expected to be completed in early 2025 – this will include the design of the Goldmine Road upgrade and the rail facility entrance.
- The upgrade will tie into the City of Gold Coast upgrade of the Lahrs Road-Goldmine Road intersection, which is scheduled to commence in September 2024.
- People can find out more about the Goldmine Road upgrade by dropping into a community information session on 31 August 2024, 9am-12pm, in Jonquil Street Park.
- Visit the QTMP website
