Transit Network Concept Design Report

Table of contents 2 Project description ...... 2.2 2.1 Introduction...... 2.2 2.2 Description of the Cairns Transit Network...... 2.2 2.3 Bus priority treatment options ...... 2.4 2.3.1 Central – City Place...... 2.5 2.3.2 Northern corridor ...... 2.6 2.3.2.1 Section N1: Cairns City to Airport Avenue...... 2.6 2.3.2.2 Section N2: Airport Avenue to Skyrail ...... 2.6 2.3.2.3 Section N3: Skyrail to Trinity Park ...... 2.7 2.3.2.4 Section N4: Trinity Park to Palm Cove ...... 2.7 2.3.3 Southern corridor...... 2.8 2.3.3.1 Section S1: Cairns City to Moody Creek ...... 2.8 2.3.3.2 Section S2: Moody Creek to Earlville ...... 2.8 2.3.3.3 Section S3: Earlville to Edmonton ...... 2.8 2.3.3.4 Section S4: Edmonton to Gordonvale ...... 2.9 2.3.4 Western corridor...... 2.9 2.3.4.1 Section W1: Cairns Base Hospital to Manoora ...... 2.10 2.3.4.2 Section W2: Manoora to Skyrail ...... 2.10

List of figures

Figure 2.1: Cairns Transit Network corridors...... 2.3 Figure 2.2: Busway...... 2.4 Figure 2.3: Median bus-only corridor...... 2.4 Figure 2.4: Kerbside bus/transit lane...... 2.5

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2 Project description

2.1 Introduction This chapter provides a description of the Cairns Transit Network. It identifies where the future transit network will be situated, station positions and identifies the location of stations and associated infrastructure such as park and ride and driver facilities.

2.2 Description of the Cairns Transit Network The Cairns Transit Network is approximately 70 kilometres in length. It will connect the major communities in Cairns from Palm Cove to Gordonvale via Smithfield, Redlynch, Earlville, Cairns city centre and Edmonton. The network comprises three key corridors: a northern corridor, a southern corridor and a western corridor, all of which connect with City Place. Figure 2.1 shows the network diagram and three corridors (shown as blue, red and green lines) which make up the Cairns Transit Network. This chapter outlines the attributes of the Cairns Transit Network described within four sections. These are: • Central – City Place • Northern corridor – Cairns City to Palm Cove (via Smithfield) • Southern corridor – Cairns City to Gordonvale (via Earlville and Edmonton) • Western corridor – Cairns Base Hospital to Skyrail (via Redlynch).

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Figure 2.1: Cairns Transit Network corridors

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2.3 Bus priority treatment options The Cairns Transit Network will be made up of a combination of dedicated busways, median bus-only corridors and bus/transit lanes. On some small sections of the network, buses will not receive priority and will mix with general traffic on existing roads. • Busway - A busway is a two-way road exclusively for the use of buses and is separated from general traffic. Emergency vehicles are the only other vehicles which are permitted on busways. Coaches and tourist buses may also be considered as planning progresses (Figure 2.2).

Figure 2.2: Busway

• Median bus-only corridor - A bus-only corridor operates in the middle of the road. Stations are located in the median and accessed by traffic lights, zebra crossings or pedestrian overpasses ( Error! Reference source not found. ).

Figure 2.3: Median bus-only corridor

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• Bus/transit lane - A bus/transit lane provides buses and/or high occupant vehicles carrying two or more people with their own traffic lanes to bypass road congestion (Figure 2.4).

Figure 2.4: Kerbside bus/transit lane

2.3.1 Central – City Place The existing Lake Street transit mall located between Spence Street and Shields Street will be upgraded to allow buses to travel in both directions along Lake Street, crossing Shields Street and City Place in a new slow-speed, bus-only connection. The upgrade will improve passenger amenity and weather protection and reduce bus travel time through the city, improving the reliability of services. Buses only will be allowed to drive through City Place with four new northbound stops located on the western side of Lake Street (between Shields Street and Aplin Street). Four southbound stops will be provided on the eastern side of Lake Street (between Shields Street and Spence Street). This will involve the reconfiguration of the existing bus bays and modifications to traffic operations along Lake Street (between Aplin Street and Spence Street). Cars using Lake Street will be able to turn left around the corner into Shields Street with a new access provided. Cars will not be able to drive across City Place. Provision for pedestrians and cyclists will be improved with a pedestrian priority zone provided across City Place. Refinements have been made to the original draft plans to minimise impacts on parking and the existing taxi rank is proposed to be relocated to Shields Street. As part of the expansion and upgrade of the existing Lake Street transit mall, Council’s existing performance facility (locally referred to as ‘The Mushroom’) will be removed which Council may wish to relocate.

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The new-look City Place will continue to be a major destination and focal point for public transport services across the city. It will perform the role of a major interchange and provide passengers with the ability to transfer easily between all services that use the station. To support the transit network and protect the long term capacity of City Place it is intended that there will be two additional bus layover areas. One will be located at Cairns Central Shopping Centre on Bunda Street and the other will be adjacent to Munro Martin Park on Grafton Street. This will reduce the need for buses to idle unnecessarily within the city centre whilst drivers take a break. The layover facilities will provide capacity for four bus bays at each location with the opportunity of providing a toilet and driver meals room to be investigated in the future.

2.3.2 Northern corridor The northern corridor extends for 29 kilometres from Cairns city centre via Smithfield to Palm Cove with 20 stations identified. The northern corridor will service the suburbs of Cairns North, , Stratford, Machans Beach, Holloways Beach, Yorkeys Knob, Smithfield, Trinity Park, Trinity Beach, , Clifton Beach and Palm Cove.

2.3.2.1 Section N1: Cairns City to Airport Avenue Between Cairns city centre (Aplin Street) and Airport Avenue the alignment for the Cairns Transit Network will run within the existing road reserve of Lake Street in a median bus-only corridor. There are four stations within this 3.6 kilometre section which include: • St Monica’s station, between Florence and Minnie Streets • Cairns Base Hospital station, between Gatton and Grove Streets • Cairns North station, between McKenzie and Smith Streets • Tobruk station, between Lily and Rutherford Streets. At Moffat Street intersection, the Cairns Transit Network will extend through bushland to connect with Airport Avenue. An opportunity exists for buses to service the airport from here.

2.3.2.2 Section N2: Airport Avenue to Skyrail For this section the Cairns Transit Network will operate as dedicated busway. From Airport Avenue the transit corridor will remain on the southern side of Airport Avenue and cross over to the western side of the between the highway and railway. The transit network will run at grade along the western side of the Captain Cook Highway, cross Aeroglen Drive and the heavy rail line to Stratford. At Stratford the transit network will turn into Rinks Close crossing the heavy rail line with a new connection over the Barron River. From the Barron River the transit network will be located within the existing former Captain Cook Highway road reserve and then continue beside the existing Captain Cook Highway on the western side. The transit network will cross Thomatis Creek and connect with the Cairns Western Arterial Road to Skyrail station. Three stations are located within this 9.2 kilometre section which includes:

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• Aeroglen station, north of Whitfield Street • Stratford station, south of Rinks Close • Thomatis Creek station, close to Walkers Road. A future detailed design and impact management phase will investigate the opportunity for a future park and ride facility on the western side of the Captain Cook Highway near Thomatis Creek.

2.3.2.3 Section N3: Skyrail to Trinity Park The transit network alignment is located on the western side of the Captain Cook Highway at Skyrail and travels north for a short distance before crossing the Captain Cook Highway to the eastern side. The transit network then runs at grade adjacent to the Captain Cook Highway with a station positioned opposite the Smithfield shopping centre near Cattana Road. Heading north, the Smithfield North station is positioned to integrate with the future Smithfield Town Centre and then cross over the Captain Cook Highway to the western side of the highway to connect with James Cook University. The Cairns Transit Network will continue to travel north as a dedicated busway via a new road connection, skirting the edge of the vegetated hill slopes to connect at the Reed Road roundabout. There are five stations along this 7.1 kilometre length which include: • Skyrail station • Smithfield Centre station, adjacent to Cattana Road • Smithfield North station, next to the Captain Cook Highway south of McGregor Road • James Cook University station

• Reed Road station, TrinityPark.

2.3.2.4 Section N4: Trinity Park to Palm Cove This 8.6 kilometre section from Reed Road to Palm Cove includes a combination of on road running and median bus-only corridor and bus/transit lanes. From Reed Road to Trinity Beach Road the transit network will travel in a median bus-only corridor. The alignment then follows Trinity Beach Road to join a future Council network road (future link) between Trinity and Kewarra Beaches before following Poolwood Road westward to Captain Cook Highway. Buses will travel in kerbside bus/transit lanes along the Captain Cook Highway to Palm Cove Boulevard, Palm Cove. A terminus station will be located within Palm Cove with buses using the existing road network. Within this section are seven stations located at: • Bluewater station between Reed Road and Trinity Beach Road

• Trinity Beach station, near Trinity Beach Road • Kewarra Beach station, Poolwood Road • Paradise Palms station, near Paradise Palms Drive • Clifton Beach station, near Endeavour Road

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• Argentea (The Village) station, near Bokissa Road • Palm Cove with stops at Triton Street and Williams Esplanade.

2.3.3 Southern corridor The southern corridor extends for approximately 28 kilometres from City Place within the Cairns City centre via Earlville and Edmonton to Gordonvale. A total of 25 stations are identified to service the suburbs of Parramatta Park, Bungalow, Earlville, Woree, White Rock, Forest Gardens, Mount Sheridan, Bentley Park, Edmonton, Mount Peter and Gordonvale.

2.3.3.1 Section S1: Cairns City to Moody Creek This 3.7 kilometre section between City Place and Moody Creek is located within the Spence Street corridor. Leaving City Place, the transit network travels south-west along Spence Street running in kerbside bus/transit lanes until Draper Street where the network will transition into a central median bus-only corridor until Moody Creek. The width of Spence Street (which accommodates an old rail corridor) provides for central median bus operations to occur without severing access to the business and residential driveways along this street.

There are five stations within this section which includes: • Cairns Central station, between McLeod Street and Bunda Street • Cairns Council station, between Draper Street and Severin Street • Barlow Park station, between Ogden Street and Brown Street • Bungalow station adjacent to Hannam Street • Moody Creek station adjacent to Newell Street.

2.3.3.2 Section S2: Moody Creek to Earlville From Spence Street, the transit network will cross Moody and Chinaman Creeks on an elevated bridge structure and continue to Telford Street through the current pony club land. On Telford Street, buses will share with local traffic before connecting to Ishmael Road, to connect to the Earlville station. Buses will travel south along Ishmael Road in general traffic and transition into dedicated busway lanes from Ishmael Road to a station at the Cannon Park racecourse. Within this 1.8 kilometre section, two stations are identified: • Earlville station (located off Ishmael Road adjacent to Earlville Shopping Centre) • Cannon Park station (located at the Cairns Jockey Club near Mulgrave Road). A future detailed design and impact management phase will investigate the opportunity to provide a bus driver meals room and toilet as well as make provision for a bus turnaround and layover area in this vicinity.

2.3.3.3 Section S3: Earlville to Edmonton From Earlville, the transit network heads south to Edmonton running as dedicated busway for this 9.2 kilometre section. Buses will continue on the eastern side of Mulgrave Road from

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the Cannon Park racecourse and then transition at grade at Road intersection to connect with a dedicated busway on the western side of the . The busway will travel along the western side of the Bruce Highway until just south of Bentley Park College and Primary School where the busway will then travel east along the edge of the school to Edmonton intersecting with Ravizza Drive. The busway will continue to run on the southern side of Logomeir Road to connect with a new station within the future Edmonton Town Centre.

Seven stations are identified between Earlville and Edmonton: • Woree station, located adjacent to the Rigg Street / Ray Jones Drive intersection • White Rock station, located north of Anderson Road • Forest Gardens station, located south of Forest Gardens Road • Mount Sheridan station, located south of Foster Road and adjacent to Mount Sheridan Shopping Centre • Skeleton Creek station, located south of Trafalgar Road • Bentley Park station, located near Robert Road • Edmonton station, located within the future Edmonton Town Centre which is to include a bus layover and bus turnaround facility to provide flexibility for the transit network. Planning for the transit network within this section has been undertaken together with planning for the Cairns Bruce Highway Upgrade project.

2.3.3.4 Section S4: Edmonton to Gordonvale From Edmonton the network will travel in a median bus-only corridor along Walker Road and Chay Road and link up with the Mount Peter Master Planned Area. The transit network will be secured as part of the master planning and be centrally located within Mount Peter providing maximum coverage. The exact location of the transit network will be determined through the Mount Peter Master Planned Area process. From Draper Road buses will operate with general traffic travelling along Draper Road, across the Bruce Highway, onto Cairns Road, then along Norman Street and terminating near the Gordonvale railway station. There are up to 10 stations between Edmonton and Gordonvale (including Gordonvale station) which will be defined as part of the Mount Peter Master Planned Area planning process. The length of the busway between Edmonton and Gordonvale is approximately 10.4 kilometres.

2.3.4 Western corridor The western corridor extends for 16 kilometres from the Cairns Base Hospital Station via Redlynch to Smithfield. Fourteen stations are identified to service the suburbs of Manunda, Manoora, Kanimbla, Brinsmead, Redlynch, Kamerunga, Lake Placid and Caravonica.

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2.3.4.1 Section W1: Cairns Base Hospital to Manoora From the Cairns Base Hospital station the network will travel in general traffic along Grove Street across Sheridan Street and the Kuranda rail line. At Martyn Street the transit network turns south and then west into Gatton Street running in kerbside bus/transit lanes. This will service Tropical North TAFE and Mann Street sporting grounds. The network will proceed along Hoare Street servicing Trinity Bay high school, Cairns West primary school and St Francis Xavier’s school before connecting with Pease Street. Along Hoare Street the network will travel in dedicated kerbside bus lanes. On Pease Street buses will travel within general traffic and transition to kerbside bus lanes on Reservoir Road. Five stations are identified within this four kilometre section: • Lily Creek station, located between Martyn Street and the railway line • Cairns TAFE station, located on Gatton Street • Manunda station, on Hoare Street located between Eureka Street and Clarke Street • Cairns West station on Hoare street, located between McCormack Street and Mayers Street • Manoora station, located on Pease Street.

2.3.4.2 Section W2: Manoora to Skyrail From Manoora the network travels for 11.5 kilometres within the Reservoir Road and Cairns Western Arterial Road (CWAR) corridor in kerbside bus/transit lanes and connects with the future Skyrail station. Stations are located at: • Enmore station on Reservoir Road • Kanimbla station, adjacent to Ramsay Drive • Brinsmead station, adjacent to Loridan Drive • Glenoma Park station, opposite Opaline Close • Redlynch Central station, off CWAR on Redlynch Connector Road • Redlynch Village station, near the Brinsmead Kamerunga Road intersection • Kamerunga station, near the Harley Street intersection

• Lake Placid station, at the Lake Placid Road intersection • Caravonica station, near Fig Tree Drive intersection. Stations are often located near intersections to allow for safe crossing of CWAR by passengers; alternatively overhead walkways may be constructed to link either side of stations. Future detailed design and impact management stages will investigate a possible park and ride site at Redlynch.

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