The Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 corridor, stretching from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads, risked becoming a homogenous transit strip that ignored the rich, distinct histories of the suburbs it traversed. While the engineering requirement was for efficient transport, the cultural requirement was to resurrect the lost identities of the coast.
The challenge was to differentiate the distinct “villages” of Mermaid Beach, Nobby Beach, Miami, and Burleigh Heads within a highly constrained rail corridor. The project required a placemaking strategy that could withstand the rigours of a public transport environment while telling sensitive stories ranging from First Nations songlines to 1950s “Motel Modernism.”
AECOM (Principal Consultant) engaged POMO to lead the placemaking design and delivery for this major infrastructure project. Working alongside the John Holland construction team and complying with Translink standards, we bridged the gap between heavy civil engineering and fine-grain cultural storytelling.
POMO’s role moved beyond concept design into the rigorous “Detailed Design” (DD) and “Approved for Construction” (AFC) phases. We delivered a suite of bespoke urban elements that were technically certified and integrated into the station architecture.
We began with a forensic analysis of the corridor to unlock “meta-narratives” for each zone. This ensured every design decision was grounded in place-truth:
We developed a sophisticated lighting strategy that uses colour temperature and projection to subconsciously signal arrival in different precincts.
Moving beyond standard plaques, we embedded interpretive content directly into the station utility infrastructure.
To ensure longevity, we moved away from fragile materials. We designed a series of “concrete blasts” and embellishments sandblasted or cast directly into the station hardscapes. These permanent interventions featured indigenous art patterns and topographic lines specific to the Burleigh headland, ensuring the story of the place was literally built into the ground plane.
The project successfully differentiates the station precincts, preventing the “anywhere” feel common in modern transit infrastructure. By embedding local stories, from the wetlands to the ANZAC history of local families, into the furniture, lighting, and paving, the light rail becomes a vehicle for cultural preservation as well as transport.
*Unfortunately due to “value engineering” many of our initiatives were dropped from the final construction package
Ready to integrate culture into infrastructure?
Contact POMO to discuss how we can deliver bespoke placemaking for your next major transport project.
More projects
Miles Main Street Revitalisation: Regional Placemaking & Urban Renewal
Miles Main Street Revitalisation: Regional Placemaking & Urban Renewal
Regional town centres often struggle with generic urban design that fails to resonate with local history or encourage economic “stickiness.” In the heart of the Western Downs, the town of Miles required more than a standard streetscape upgrade; it needed a strategic revitalisation that could express its unique cultural heritage while fostering a renewed sense of community pride.
Palmwoods Town Square: Delivering Community Identity through Creative Placemaking - Bespoke Urban Infrastructure
Palmwoods Town Square: Delivering Community Identity through Creative Placemaking - Bespoke Urban Infrastructure
For decades, the physical centre of Palmwoods was defined by a sloping asphalt car park that offered utility but no community connection. The Sunshine Coast Council identified the need to transform this functional void into a genuine town square.
The challenge was not simply to build a modern park, but to deliver a “civic heart” that felt established and authentic. The community did not want a generic urban upgrade; they demanded a space that reflected the town’s timber-getting history and agricultural heritage. The mandate was to create new infrastructure that felt like it had been there for a century and fit with the historical buildings that surrounded it.
Southport Broadwater Play Attraction: Delivering Place-Based Creative Play Infrastructure
Southport Broadwater Play Attraction: Delivering Place-Based Creative Play Infrastructure
Destination playgrounds are increasingly vital for urban activation, but they often rely on off-the-shelf equipment that lacks connection to place. For the Southport Broadwater Parklands, the City of Gold Coast required an iconic play attraction that was not only fun but deeply rooted in the ecological narrative of the Broadwater Estuary.
