Major construction tender released as Coomera Connector Stage 1 South works get underway

• Early works on the Coomera Connector Stage 1 South package from Molendinar to Nerang are underway.
• The tender for major construction on Stage 1 South has also been released to market.
• Early works are starting with the setup of the contractor's site access and compound, before earthworks begin.

Drone footage available HERE (password: Connector)

Construction of the Second M1 is one step closer, with early works beginning on the Stage 1 South package.

Stage 1 of the project will deliver a new 16-kilometre connection between Coomera and Nerang, with construction occurring in three phases: North, Central and South.

Once complete, the road is expected to remove up to 60,000 local trips from the M1 per day, easing congestion and providing an alternative route for the growing communities and commercial hubs of Helensvale and Coomera.

The project will also facilitate public and active transport, with a shared pedestrian/cycle path with connections into existing and future active transport networks along the route.

The areas south of the Nerang River will be the focus of the early works, which will include relocating service utilities and earthworks and ensuring the site is construction-ready.

The Albanese and Miles Labor Governments have each committed over $1.5 billion to plan and construct the Coomera Connector Stage 1 project. This includes an additional $432 million each in this year’s State and Federal Budgets to ensure its delivery.

This investment will support an estimated 1,000 direct jobs over the life of the project.

Coomera Connector Stage 1 North between Shipper Drive and Helensvale Road is underway and expected to open progressively from late 2025 while early works are underway on Stage 1 Central between Helensvale Road and Smith Street Motorway.

The main construction tender for the South package has now been released, and has narrowed the preferred contractors to a list of three.

These three contractors will now undertake detailed assessment, looking at innovative ways to build this section of the Coomera Connector.

More information can be found at www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/coomera-connector-stage-1-south.

Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“The Coomera Connector will transform the lives of South-East Queenslanders, knocking 10 minutes off their journey between Coomera and Southport.

“It means less time stuck in traffic and more time with your loved ones.

"We know that road congestion is a significant issue for the region and a drain on the economy which is why we're getting on with delivering this critical piece of infrastructure.”

Quotes attributable to the Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish:

“Getting works started on Stage 1 South of the Coomera Connector is a fantastic milestone, laying the foundations for main construction works for this section from Molendinar to Nerang.

“Tender for major construction on this package of work has also just gone to market.

“As the Gold Coast continues to grow, we’re getting on with the job of building a future-proofed road that will connect communities and get people home safer and sooner.

“Make no mistake, there wouldn’t be a Second M1 under the LNP.

“The Newman-Crisafulli Government cut the Coomera Connector from planning and didn’t even preserve a road corridor.

“If they had had their way, Gold Coasters would be paying the price for their poor planning for years to come.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon:

“Anyone who lives on the Gold Coast knows how frustrating congestion on the M1 is, which is why I committed to building the second M1.

“Already more than one million hours have been worked on building it, and now people in our community will see machinery on the ground in Nerang.

“This is a project that will cut travel time and keep hundreds of thousands of Gold Coasters moving.

“It’s a stark contrast to the LNP who cut $100 million from road projects in our city and mothballed the Second M1 when David Crisafulli was a cabinet minister.”

More information can be found at  www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/coomera-connector-stage-1-south

ENDS