Have your say on planning for future stages of the Coomera Connector

Published Friday, 20 October, 2023 at 02:51 PM

Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services
The Honourable Mark Bailey

  • The gazetted corridor of the Coomera Connector (Future stages) is changing, to help reduce environmental impacts and achieve better outcomes for road users and the community.
  • Community consultation on the Coomera Connector (Future stages) concept design is open until 24 November.
  • Feedback on the concept design for the remaining 29-kilometres of the Loganholme to Coomera corridor will inform the project's business case.
  • The business case is expected to be completed in late 2023.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is making amendments to the gazetted corridor of the Coomera Connector (Future stages) project between Loganholme and Coomera.

Multi-criteria assessments were carried out to evaluate three locations – Coomera, Pimpama and Eagleby.

It was determined an amended corridor alignment at these locations could achieve significant benefits in reducing the impacts on native vegetation, wetlands of significance at Eagleby, and improve the connectivity to the Coomera Connector for local residents.

TMR has started the re-gazettal process in line with standard planning policies.

Discussions with impacted property owners are currently underway.

Formal gazettal of the corridor will not take place until the business case is finalised in late 2023.

TMR is committed to seeking feedback from the community on the Coomera Connector (Future stages) concept design.

Community consultation is now open until 24 November 2023, when we will share details on the concept design including interchange locations and layouts developed as part of the business case.

Feedback can be provided at information sessions in the local community, by phone, email or by completing an online form on the TMR website https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/coomera-connector-future-stages.

Once complete, the 45-kilometre Coomera Connector will be a new north-south motorway between Logan and the Gold Coast, which will relieve congestion on the M1 by providing an alternative route for local trips.

The Australian Government and the Queensland Government have committed a total of $22 million (on a 50:50 basis) to continue planning for future stages of the Coomera Connector from Loganholme to Coomera.

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

"The Coomera Connector is a game-changer for South-East Queenslanders.

“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.

"Identifying opportunities where we can minimise the impacts on the environment is an important part of planning Australian and Queensland Government infrastructure projects and I welcome the changes to the alignment.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey:

"I encourage the community to provide feedback on the concept design for the Coomera Connector (Future stages) project.

"Since 2022 we have been working on the business case and conducting comprehensive environmental studies for the future stages corridor, from Loganholme to Coomera.

"Community consultation on the Coomera Connector (Future stages) planning will showcase the work that's been done to develop a robust business case for the Coomera Connector between Loganholme and Coomera.

"With construction on Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector now underway, momentum is building for the delivery of one of Queensland's largest transport infrastructure projects. Future Stages will provide the critical link to significantly reducing the number of vehicle trips on the M1."

ENDS

Project webpage

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/coomera-connector-future-stages