Burleigh Heads is a popular location for visitors and locals alike. Major Gold Coast Light Rail works commenced in June 2023 in the Burleigh Heads precinct and be ongoing throughout 2023, 2024 and into 2025, with various changes to the area in this time.
To help explain the staging of work, this page has been developed which provides an overview of how GCLR3 works will be delivered in Burleigh.
More detailed information will be provided prior to each stage of work and all affected stakeholders will continue to be kept informed throughout construction.
The Burleigh business precinct has a significant network of existing underground utilities including sewer, water, gas, and stormwater as well as above ground electricity.
Much of this infrastructure needs is being 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.
The Burleigh business precinct has a significant network of existing underground utilities including sewer, water, gas, and stormwater as well as above ground electricity.
Much of this infrastructure is being 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.
A significant piece of 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 steps in Burleigh Heads
Trader Survey
We’d like to thank all businesses in Burleigh who completed the local trader survey in April and May 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.
You can find out more about these changes by clicking the Traffic and parking tab.
Works
Site establishment and service investigations
Installing a temporary water diversion below ground for some properties on the northbound side of the Gold Coast Highway
Electricity relocation works across the Gold Coast Highway (Alby Adams to Justin Lane)
Installing temporary road lighting.
Timing
Mid-June to July 2023
What to expect
Temporary traffic changes, parking closures and lane closures
Due to the nature and location of these works, activities will be undertaken during days and nights. Consideration has been given to key trading times of local businesses as well as the impacts to nearby residents and traffic
Temporary water service shutdown (direct notification will be provided to affected properties). See the City of Gold Coast factsheet on water and sewerage changes for more information
General construction noise
Minor pedestrian diversions around work areas
Property access will be maintained.
View the step one notification here.
Works
Electricity relocations, including installing new underground conduits and cables between Justin Lane and 1740 Gold Coast Highway
Approximately eight weeks to construct an electricity access and maintenance pit next to Justin Lane
Horizontal directional drilling (Memorial Park to Justin Lane) and electricity relocation works within Alby Adams Park.
Timing
Mid-July to late 2023.
What to expect
Permanent on-street parking changes. Please refer to the Traffic and parking tab on this page
Establishment of a construction area around the electricity pit for approximately eight weeks
Minor pedestrian diversions around work areas
Roadside dining changes. We will speak directly with affected businesses
Due to the nature and location of these works, activities will be undertaken during days and nights. Consideration has been given to key trading times of local businesses as well as the impacts to nearby residents and traffic.
Night works, each night from Sunday night to Friday morning.
View the step two notification here
Works
Removing the centre median barrier and installing temporary road pavements
Utility relocation works crossing underneath the Gold Coast Highway.
Timing
Commenced August 2023
What to expect
Increase in construction activity including noise, vibration and vehicle movements
The use of heavy machinery including excavation and asphalting equipment, saw cutting and jack hammering
The use of temporary lighting (where night works are required)
On-street parking will be removed
The right turn onto Connor Street will temporarily close for the duration of work.
Please refer to the Traffic and parking tab on this page for more information.
View the step three notification here
Works
Water, sewer and drainage works on the northbound side of the Gold Coast Highway including the footpath area
Energex, as the electricity authority, will remove overhead infrastructure
Road and pavement works.
Timing
From October 2023 to 2024.
What to expect
Utilities to be relocated include water, gas, sewerage, electricity, communication cables, stormwater drainage and signal cables
Construction of new roads, kerbs, footpath
Increase in noise and vibration
On-street parking will be removed
Connor Street will become one-way onto the Gold Coast Highway between James Street and Gold Coast Highway.
Please refer to the Traffic and parking tab on this page for more information.
View the step four notification here.
Works
Works on the northbound side of the Gold Coast Highway including the footpath area
Water, sewer, and drainage works are included
Energex, as the electricity authority, will be undertaking work to remove overhead infrastructure
Road and pavement works.
Timing
Expected to commence between April and July 2024
What to expect
More information to be provided closer to works commencing.
Works
Tramway works.
Timing
Commences after step five.
What to expect
More information to be provided closer to works commencing.
Step seven works will involve finishing works such as landscaping and final reinstatement works.
Traffic and parking
On-street parking changes
On-street parking between Connor Street and 1740 Gold Coast Highway permanently closed in July 2023
Seven parking spaces between 1740 Gold Coast Highway and West Street have been amended to support these changes
Three spaces are signed as shared loading zones and 1/4P, while the remaining four are 2P
Three parking bays on the northern side Connor Street have been changed to 1/4P.
Justin Lane
Temporary traffic changes are in place at Justin Lane for some utility relocation works
Access and egress to Justin Lane from West Street will be maintained
Deliveries and waste collection can continue within Justin Lane
Large vehicles are advised to utilise nearby on-street loading zones to deliver and collect goods.
Deliveries and food pick-ups
To ensure food deliveries and collections can continue, nearby parking has been re-timed to promote higher vehicle turnover. See On-street parking changes above.
Parking in Burleigh
While parking is limited in Burleigh Heads, a range of nearby parking options are available including:
Over 430 free spaces along the beachfront between First and Kelly avenues
Parking in Justins Park Carpark is free. Three hour car parking is available between 9am and 5pm and parking is unrestricted outside these hours
Alex Black car park has over 150 available parking spaces
Timed parking (free, parking for a maximum of three hours) is available along the Esplanade from First to Kelly avenues.
Visit the City of Gold Coast parking map to find out more.
Waste Collection
During construction of the GCLR3 in Burleigh Heads, temporary changes to traffic are in place on the Gold Coast Highway, Justin Lane and into some side streets.
The City of Gold Coast’s waste management team is working closely with the GCLR3 design and 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.
