Nobby Beach
Major Gold Coast Light Rail works commenced in September 2023 in the Nobby Beach precinct and are ongoing, with various changes to the area during this period.
This page has been developed to provide an overview of the precinct design and help explain the staging of works at Nobby Beach.
The Nobby Beach precinct has a network of existing underground utilities including sewer, water, drainage and telecommunications, as well as above ground electricity.
Much of this infrastructure needs to be relocated to make way for the new light rail tracks, however, while these works occur, we also need to ensure the existing utilities remain operational.
This creates a highly complex network of existing, temporary, and new underground services, and needs to be managed while maintaining traffic volumes and ensuring businesses can continue to operate.
Significant planning has been undertaken to sequence these works in a way that considers these complexities. This page provides an overarching guide to the major construction step in Nobby Beach (Step one through to step four).
Step one: Utilities and road works (northern section and Gold Coast Highway)
Step two: Road works (southern section and Gold Coast Highway)
Step three: Tramway works
Step four: Finishing works
Works
Site establishment and service investigations
Installing new drainage pipes on the Gold Coast Highway (southbound)
Constructing new kerb and road pavement in the northern end to facilitate a new left-turn out from the Gold Coast Highway Service Road on to the Gold Coast Highway southbound lanes
Installing temporary road lighting.
Timing
Mid-September to December 2023
What to expect
Removing southbound vehicle access into the precinct from the Gold Coast Highway to Gold Coast Highway Service Road (northern end of the precinct)
Temporary and permanent on-street parking changes. Please refer to the Traffic and parking tab on this page
Increase in construction activity including noise, vibration, and vehicle movements within and near to the works area
Due to the nature and location of these works, activities will be undertaken during days and nights
Minor pedestrian diversions around work areas
Property access will be maintained throughout these works.
View the step one notification here
Trader Survey
We’d like to thank all businesses in Nobby Beach who completed the local trader survey in August and September 2023. The information received has provided our construction team with a thorough understanding of key operating hours, how deliveries occur in the area and how on-street parking is utilised. The details will be considered as part of construction staging plans.
You can find out more about these changes by clicking the Traffic and parking tab.
Current traffic and parking changes
On-street parking between Wave Street and the turn around on Gold Coast Highway Service Road around is available.
The new turn around opened in April 2024 and is available to use.
Visit the GCLR3 interactive map to view all current traffic and parking changes.
View the interactive parking map to see the permanent parking changes associated with the Nobby Beach urban revitalisation.
Journey planning
Parking in Nobby Beach
While parking is limited in Nobby Beach, the timed parking (free, parking for a maximum of three hours) will remain available near Lavarack Road, along the Gold Coast Highway Service Road, Chairlift Avenue and bottom of Great Hall Drive.
Visit the City of Gold Coast parking map to find out more.
Alternate travel options
Consider walking, riding, carpooling or catching the bus to Nobby Beach. When practical, active travel is a great alternative for making local trips.
The City of Gold Coast have a range of resources available for active travellers, including free bike workshops for all ages and abilities. Please visit City of Gold Coast Active Travel page for more information.
Waste Collection
During construction of the GCLR3 in Nobby Beach, temporary traffic changes are in place on the Gold Coast Highway, Gold Coast Highway Service Road and side streets. This may require changes to how waste collection trucks access properties to collect general waste, recycling and green organics.
The City of Gold Coast’s waste management team is working closely with the GCLR3 construction contractor John Holland to reduce impacts to residential and commercial waste collection services.
Changes may look different for each property and may change throughout the course of construction. We will keep you informed about important changes.
For more information, you can view the City of Gold Coast factsheet on waste collection.
Nobby Beach urban revitalisation
Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 (GCLR3) provides the opportunity to support the renewal of neighbourhoods surrounding new light rail stations, while improving access for the community and visitors.
This render has been developed for illustrative purposes only and not for construction.
The urban revitalisation at Nobby Beach will create an improved public space that serves as a gathering place for events, and as a vibrant social space for residents and businesses.
Feedback provided as part of community consultation undertaken by the City of Gold Coast in 2018, 2019 and 2020 was considered during the detailed design phase for the Nobby Beach precinct.
We’re pleased to share the precinct designs which are now in their final stages.
This page outlines the key features and improvements which will be delivered to Nobby Beach as part of GCLR3.
In response to community feedback, the precinct has been designed to consider key urban design concept options regarding compatibility with light rail design, impacts on traffic movement, safety, pedestrian access, parking, public space, public art, urban continuity and business continuity.
April 2024 update
In response to community feedback, an update is available which provides a summary of the specific issues raised about the Nobby Beach precinct since the final designs were shared earlier in 2024. View the summary document here.
Key features
a safe and accessible station
improved connectivity with new pedestrian and cycling facilities
a dedicated piazza area designed to be a shared-use zone for events and street performers
additional landscaping and seating
road network upgrades in the area.
Precinct features and layout
Connectivity
Improved pedestrian and cyclist connectivity around the broader Nobby Beach precinct, and the new Nobby Beach Light Rail station.
Improved cyclist amenities with the inclusion of a covered bike parking facility.
Landscaping and open space
Improved streetscape, with a shared zone for a pedestrian plaza and event space, with some short-term parking bays retained.
Increased footpath width and outdoor dining opportunity for local businesses.
Increased vegetation with the planting of new trees and garden beds with shade and seating opportunities, and retention of the mature Poinciana.
Enhanced features such as shade, seating walls, bespoke seating, pavement, feature lighting, and drainage.
Safety
Safety upgrades to the road network including signalised crossings.
Designated pedestrian crossings within the Nobby Beach precinct
Accessibility
Nobby Beach station will be accessible via ramps to provide improved access for passengers using mobility aids (wheelchairs, scooters or motorised vehicles), parents with prams and elderly people. Passenger information displays list the next services for each platform and the expected arrival time.
Passengers will be able to access the station from nearby pedestrian crossings.
Indicative only, subject to change.
Response to community feedback
Local traffic impacts
The final designs have been considered in conjunction with local traffic.
The closure of the roundabout movement at Chairlift Avenue and Gold Coast Highway Service Road prevents northbound traffic from 'rat running' through Lavarack Road.
Southbound traffic into the Nobby Beach precinct can utilise the new turning area to exit the precinct back onto the Gold Coast Highway.
Parking
Consideration has been given to the mix of parking through the Nobby Beach precinct, with a mix of 1/4P, 2P, 3P and Loading Zone bays.
Nobby Beach will become a safer, more accessible and connected precinct, with increased active travel routes.
Future development
GCLR3 has the potential to offer significant neighbourhood renewal benefits while improving access for the community and visitors. To ensure these benefits are realised, City of Gold Coast prepared a Neighbourhood Framework local planning process for the Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads corridor.
The local planning process guides planning activities and growth in these areas while maintaining the lifestyle, amenity and coastal character values of these neighbourhoods.
For more information, visit cityofgoldcoast.com.au/nfbb.
Project timeline
2018
Initial community engagement for GCLR3 and Nobby Beach urban design
2019
Draft concept design developed to revitalise Nobby Beach
Nobby Beach Street Fiesta engagement period
2020
GCLR3 reference design phase / COVID-19
2021
Project tender phase
2022
Project contract award
2022 to 2023
Detailed underground designs and major construction commences
Mid-2023
Nobby Beach initial utility relocation works commences
Early 2024
Final designs released
2024 to 2025
Nobby Beach revitalisation construction scheduled
