The Coomera Connector will link Coomera with Loganholme. Image: Screenshot.
Federal and state planning and infrastructure authorities are calling for community input into changes to the gazetted corridor of future stages of the Coomera Connector road link.
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is making amendments to the gazetted corridor of the remaining 29 kilometres of the jointly federal and state-funded Coomera Connector project between Loganholme and Coomera, to reduce environmental impacts and to achieve what it says will be better outcomes for road users and the community.
A joint statement from the federal and Queensland governments says multi-criteria assessments were carried out to evaluate locations at Coomera, Pimpama and Eagleby. It says 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”.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the Coomera Connector was a game-changer for South-East Queenslanders.
“It means less time stuck in traffic and more time with your loved ones,” she said. “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.”
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey encouraged the community to provide feedback on the concept design 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,” he said.
“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.”
Once complete, the 45-kilometre Coomera Connector will be a new north-south motorway between Logan and the Gold Coast, relieving congestion on the M1.
Community consultation on the Coomera Connector (Future stages) concept design is open until 24 November, 2023, and feedback can be left at this link. The business case is expected to be completed by the end of the year, after which the formal gazettal of the corridor will take place.
A video flyover of the planned road link can be viewed here.
