The Department of Transport and Main Roads has said that another 400 hectares have been secured to protect koalas in the Coomera Connector corridor.
The department said the Greenridge property at Pimpama, within the Gold Coast’s Koala Priority Area, was one of the largest suitable land holdings close to Stage One and future stages of the Coomera Connector.
Announcing the new initiative, Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk said securing the land demonstrated the commitment to improving the environmental outcomes of building the second M1.
“Koalas found in the second M1 corridor are relocated to nearby habitat where appropriate, or the Pimpama River Conservation Area (PRCA),” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“The additional 400 hectares is next to the PRCA, creating almost 900 hectares to protect the local koala population and improve their home range and connectivity well into the future.”
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King said the Australian and Queensland Governments had allocated $2.163 billion on a 50-50 basis to plan and build Stage One of the Coomera Connector.
“Securing the Pimpama property is a critical step in protecting koala populations along the Coomera Connector corridor,” Ms King said.
“We all know the second M1 is desperately needed and, while there are unavoidable impacts, I am confident all measures will be taken to responsibly deliver this critical infrastructure.”
She said Federal environmental approvals were expected to set conditions on the Pimpama property that would see it protected for at least the next 20 years.
“We expect the koala habitat to significantly grow in that time,” Ms King said.
