Cross River Rail is transforming the way we travel across all of South East Queensland. The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority is continuing with planning of three new rail stations on the Gold Coast Line to help connect South East Queensland’s growing population. Stations are being planned for Pimpama, Hope Island (formerly Helensvale North), and Merrimac.
Following consultation on the concept design in October 2019, the design for Hope Island station was refined and further community feedback sought between 23 August and 18 September 2021.
Feedback on the detailed design will be used to inform the final design for construction.
Early investigations commenced in January 2021, which included geotechnical works, surveys, utility identification and environmental studies including heritage, flora and fauna. The investigations and key outcomes include:
- Flora and fauna surveys found no recorded threatened species at the station site
- Cultural heritage assessments undertaken during the development of the business case identified the need for further investigations. Flood and surface water modelling indicates the proposed design does not impact stormwater drainage, flood and surface water levels
- Noise monitoring was undertaken to inform management strategies
- Geotechnical assessments were undertaken to confirm ground conditions.
To see what the new Hope Island station could like once complete, please click here.
Benefits for Hope Island
Hope Island station will provide the local community with greater access to convenient rail services; expanding options for easy travel within the Gold Coast, as well as to Brisbane.
The new Hope Island station will include the following features:
1. Approximately 179 car parks
2. Provision for future car park expansion
3. Future Coomera Connector project
4. Lighting and CCTV throughout car park and station
5. Six accessible car parks
6. Two through-lifts on each platform
7. Accessible kiss ‘n’ ride bays
8. Accessible taxi bays
9. Bus stops
10. Bus parking
11. Undercover lock-up enclosure for 40 bicycles
12. Planned connection to local pedestrian and cycle paths
13. Existing pedestrian connections
14. Station building and ticketing
15. Stairs connecting entry level to platforms
16. New signalised intersection
17. Water overflow basin
18. Existing phone tower
19. Existing sewer station
Station Location
The Hope Island station will be located next to Mangrove Jack Park, off Hope Island Road and is scheduled to be open in time for the first Cross River Rail services to the Gold Coast.
Site establishment activities – Mangrove Jack Park
In early 2023, early works including site establishment activities are planned to commence within the Hope Island station precinct.
As this area will become part of the construction site, there will be changes to the existing vehicle access off Hope Island Road and the car parking facilities at Mangrove Jack Park will close to members of the public. Further information will be available prior to works starting and we apologise for any inconvenience.
For more information regarding these works, please contact the project team.
Consultation outcomes
Overall, feedback from the community and stakeholders indicated support for the design and for the station to be named Hope Island.
During the consultation period over 1,400 people provided feedback through online surveys, community drop-in sessions, stakeholder meetings, emails and phone calls to the project team.
Summary of feedback
Key themes raised during the consultation period included:
- Support for changing the station name from Helensvale North to Hope Island station.
- Increase car parking capacity for all methods of travel (cars, motorcycles, bikes, accessible and senior parking), including consideration for future expansion options.
- Maintain overflow parking for existing users of the area.
- Preserve Mangrove Jack Park as a community space, including the off-leash dog area.
- Improve active transport connections to the station and surrounding community.
- Changes to the signalised intersection on Hope Island Road, including a right hand turn and a slip road out of the station.
- Additional weather protection coverage over the Kiss ‘n’ Ride, and from the bus drop-off area to station entrance.
- Consider mitigation measures for environmental, construction and operational impacts (flooding, vegetation removal, dust, noise).
- Feedback noting the importance of safety and security elements included in the current design and request for additional CCTV within Mangrove Jack Park.
What’s Next
Early investigations are continuing across all three sites including traffic, hydrology, noise and environment assessments to further refine and finalise the design in preparation for construction.
The community will be kept up to date as the design progresses and the final station design will be released prior to construction commencing.
Construction on the Hope Island station is planned to commence in 2023 and the community will be notified of the construction program and activities well in advance of works commencing on site.
The Delivery Authority will continue to work closely with the community, Coomera Connector Project Team, Department of Transport and Main Roads and City of Gold Coast Council throughout delivery to minimise impacts to residents and stakeholders.
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