Green light for Coomera Interchange upgrade

JOINT funding from the Australian and Queensland Governments has been secured for the upgrade of the Coomera Interchange (Exit 54) on the Pacific Motorway, which will ensure a new commercial and retail precinct goes ahead at Coomera Town Centre.

The Queensland Government is providing funding of $47.4 million, together with a $10 million commitment from Australian Government and a $17.3 million contribution from the developers of the Coomera Town Centre.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said construction on Stage 2 of the interchange upgrade will begin later this year.

“The announcement today of the funding partnership between the federal and state governments, along with the developers of the Coomera Town Centre, will see work commence on reducing congestion through this busy interchange,” Mr Truss said.

“Final design work is expected to be completed in the coming months, with construction to start soon after. All going to plan, the upgrade will be completed in late 2016, in time for the opening of the new Coomera Town Centre.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, and Minister for Trade, Jackie Trad, said the new exit would provide direct vehicle access to the new Coomera Town Centre where investment worth an estimated $1 billion is in the pipeline, including a new Westfield Shopping Centre.

“The Coomera Town Centre is an exciting development for the Gold Coast and the Queensland Government’s contribution to the new M1 exit will help in the development of a dynamic commercial and retail precinct.

“This major precinct will stimulate economic growth in the region and create jobs for local workers at a time when jobs and job security are more important than ever.

Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen said the project would improve traffic flow and also deliver a number of benefits to the local community.

“This upgrade will provide the road infrastructure needed to enable the successful development of the Coomera Town Centre, a welcome boost for jobs and community life in the local area.

“This is the single biggest issue for local residents and businesses alike and I am very pleased to see this project now progressing.”

The master plan for the Coomera Town Centre, covering 680 hectares, was declared by the former Labor Government in December 2009.

The Town Centre area, based around the Coomera Railway Station and incorporating the Dreamworld theme park, is projected to ultimately provide around 25,000 new dwellings, housing an extra 50,000 people.

The proposed Westfield Shopping Centre at Coomera has the potential to generate more than 1,200 jobs a year over a two-year development period and around 3,300 direct and indirect jobs a year after that.

Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said the new exit would improve traffic flow and ease congestion at what is already a very busy interchange.

“As an added bonus for motorists and commuters, the new interchange will incorporate a new bridge to the north of the existing bridge over the Pacific Motorway to ease congestion for east bound traffic.”

Mr Bailey said roundabouts would be upgraded with signalised intersections to reduce queuing on the motorway ramps and a northbound exit loop ramp would provide an easier connection to Foxwell road (east). The southbound off-ramp would be realigned to intersect with the Old Pacific Highway service road.

“Depending on no major weather events, the road upgrade should be completed by the end of 2016, in time for Westfield’s planned opening of its new Coomera Town Centre development,” he said.

Media Contacts

For Mr Truss:                                 Brett Heffernan                  0467 650 020

For Ms Trad:                                  Deputy Premier’s Office     0488 996 667

For Mr Bailey:                                Minister’s Office                 0438 768 734

For Mr van Manen:                        Nathan Kucks                     07 3807 6340