The State Government has announced it’s plan for the next stage of the Coomera Connector to cut through the Eagleby Wetlands, despite Logan City local residents and politicians saying there are other options.
An independent study of potential routes for the Coomera Connector’s northern section has confirmed the corridor already preserved for the future road as the preferred option.
The route is proposed to cross the Albert River east of Eagleby, connecting to the M1 and Logan Motorway at Loganholme.
It was considered in comparison to six other alternative routes by independent traffic planners and environmental specialists. Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Coomera Connector would be critical to easing traffic congestion between the Gold Coast and Logan.
Outraged Logan City locals were told there would be further community consultation until June 30 this year, despite the State Government’s claims the decision on the route was already made.
“We’ll hold at least four community information sessions at Beenleigh, Cornubia, Carbrook and Eagleby, as well as letterbox the local community to explain the findings of the independent route assessments,” Mr Bailey said.
According to the State Government, ‘concerns have previously been raised about potential impacts the gazetted Coomera Connector alignment could have on the Eagleby Wetlands. Independent experts have confirmed however, that while a variety of birds regularly visit the area, the Eagleby Wetlands are not currently recognised as wetlands of national or international significance’.
Eagleby Community and Wetlands Group President Marilyn Goodwin, said the group was very disappointed local Eagleby voices have not been heard.
“There will be further community consultation but that may not bring about changes. Before anything is commenced the Federal Government would have to ensure that a road does not interfere with any of the specific criteria in the EPBC ACT,” she said.
“We believe Eagleby is so special that it meets several of the 9 points that must be considered and which could lead to approval being denied.”
Member for Forde, Bert van Manen, said he was extremely disappointed by reports that the State Government has decided to proceed with Stage 2 of the Coomera Connector project as currently gazetted, in spite of the road’s potential impacts on the Eagleby Wetlands.
“I have lived in this community for my entire life and I treasure the Eagleby Wetlands as much as everyone in our community,” Mr van Manen said.
“While I appreciate the need for the Coomera Connector, I will never support a road that negatively impacts our ecologically significant Wetlands.
“TMR have told the Eagleby Community Wetlands Group that the road will proceed as gazetted. Given this, it seems odd that TMR’s website states that public consultation on the assessment of alternative alignments for the Coomera Connector near Eagleby is open for comment until Wednesday 30 June 2021.
“I have been in communication with the Federal Minister for the Environment about protecting Eagleby Wetlands. There is scope for Stage 2 of the Coomera Connector to be assessed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Referral under the EPBC would see a full assessment of impacts to matters of national environmental significance.
“If surveys demonstrate there are at least 18 individuals of Latham’s Snipe and/or at least 15 species of migratory shorebird at the Eagleby wetland site, then the Australian Government would consider it ‘nationally important habitat’ for listed migratory species.”
Given the State Government’s decision and the ongoing concerns of the community, Mr van Manen said he will seek to arrange a pre-referral meeting between the Eagleby Wetlands Group and representatives from the Federal Department of the Environment.
State member for Macalister Melissa McMahon said this route will have a significant impact on her electorate, ‘both in the natural and man-made environment’.
“The impacts outlined of the proposed alternate routes through Loganholme, Cornubia and Carbrook are concerning. A six-lane highway and associated service roads would appear to significantly impact not only residents along the road, but a number of schools and significant business and light industrial areas,” she said.
“I still hold the view that the current route sits too close to the Eagleby residential areas and I will continue to fight for a minor variation to the route that moves the road further away from people’s backyards.
“I am pleased that the community consultation process is much expanded on the last effort and I encourage all residents to consider the information either online or at the face-to-face sessions being held throughout the community.”
Background:
• The 45-kilometre Coomera Connector corridor between Loganholme and Nerang was formally confirmed in the Queensland Government Gazette on 15 March 2019.
• A total of $1.53 billion to build the 16-kilometre Coomera Connector Stage 1 from Coomera to Nerang has been committed by the Australian and Queensland governments on a 50:50 basis.
• Construction of stage one between Coomera and Nerang is set to begin later this year, with some sections expected to be open to traffic from late 2024.
• Planning will start soon to confirm the next priority stage for the Coomera Connector – likely Stapylton to Coomera – which will provide an alternate route for growing communities around Coomera, Pimpama and Ormeau.
