Burleigh Heads – Koala Park transport management study
- Project typeRoads & transport
Koala Park is accessible via Ikkina Road from the east and Tabilban Street from the west. These roads create a vital east-west corridor connecting the Gold Coast Highway and West Burleigh Road. This route plays a key role in the broader road network, allowing access to State roads and properties in Koala Park.
Background
In 2021, we received a community petition about traffic conditions in Koala Park. The petition asked us to close Reserve Street to through traffic and construct the missing link of Tabilban Street through Burleigh Ridge Park.
Transport management study
In response to the petition, we started a transport management study. We looked at the proposed changes as well as other ways to manage traffic in the area for both now and in the future. We used travel data, traffic modelling, a road safety audit, a plant and animal survey, public feedback and an economic study to inform our study.
Three options were assessed:
- maintain the existing route with local improvements
- build the Tabilban Street link and close Reserve Street
- sever the Koala Park route.
Community involvement
Three community information sessions were held at the Tallebudgera Recreation Centre. Over 200 people attended the sessions and provided feedback. A further 362 people provided feedback through an online survey.
Environmental impact assessment
To get the balance right between progress and conservation, we commissioned a flora and fauna survey and an ecological report. The findings informed our study's analysis of transport options.
Study results
The study found that the petition's proposal was unsustainable because:
- more traffic would go through Koala Park
- it would make the area less liveable for residents
- it would harm the environment and the local koala population
- the proposal wasn't supported by most people in the community
- it would cost a lot of money without giving ratepayers good value for money
- traffic modelling predicted that there will be less traffic going through Koala Park once the Pacific Motorway (Varsity Lakes to Tugun) upgrade and the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 project (from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads) are finished.
Council decision
The study was presented to Council in October 2022. The study recommended:
- keeping the roads as they are
- making some low-cost improvements such as adding signs, lines and islands on Tabilban Street (east).
Council agreed with the recommendations and voted against the petition's proposed changes.
The study aligns with Council objectives, focusing on a connected community and safe travel choices. It aligns with the Council Plan 2022-2027, the Gold Coast City Transport Strategy 2031and the Gold Coast Road Safety Plan.
Next steps
The recommended upgrades have been made. We are now investigating improvement options for Ocean Parade, Tabilban Street (west) and Bunyip Street. We are committed to implementing workable improvements in the future.