The Coomera Connector is South East Queensland's largest road infrastructure project, and will improve how we move around our neighbourhoods. The $2.16 billion Stage 1 project, between Coomera and Nerang, is jointly funded (50:50) by the Australian Government and Queensland Government.

The Stage 1 Central package from Helensvale to Molendinar is currently in the design phase. This is your opportunity to provide feedback.

In January 2023, Fulton Hogan Hull McIlwain Joint Venture (FHHMJV) was awarded an early works contract to progress the design and commence early works for Stage 1 Central. Major construction is expected to start in early 2024.

Coomera Connector Stage 1 will progressively open to traffic in sections from late 2025, weather and site conditions permitting, and will be completed by 2027.

Coomera Connector Stage 1 Central package project location map

Download the proposed design of the Coomera Connector Stage 1 Central map for more information.

Key highlights

• The Coomera Connector will be a high-speed motorway to future-proof infrastructure in our growing community.
• Stage 1 Central is an 8km section from Helensvale Road to Smith Street Motorway and will be built to 6 lanes.
• Open graded asphalt road surface used for increased safety and reduced noise.
• There will be grade-separated interchanges at Helensvale Road, Gold Coast Highway, and Smith Street Motorway.
• Working with local environmental groups to promote sustainable outcomes.

Noise mitigation

We recognise noise is a key concern for residents who live close to the Coomera Connector. To address road traffic noise, the Stage 1 Central package includes more than 7km of noise barriers that will be:

1. installed on both sides of the corridor where required
2. up to a maximum height of 6 metres depending on the location and terrain
3. a mix of acrylic panels and painted and unpainted concrete panels in many locations to maximise natural light and improve visibility.

Artist's impression: Roadside noise barriers

Active transport network

A new predominantly 4m–wide shared pedestrian and bike path on the eastern side of the motorway will provide opportunities for active transport. This connection is a key link in connecting South East Queensland with continuous cycle lane infrastructure.

The shared pedestrian and bike path will provide connections to key community hubs at Gold Coast Highway, Helensvale light and heavy rail stations, Napper Road, and Parkwood station. The paths will also connect to the northern and southern Coomera Connector packages.

The new path will also include a range of features such as lighting, CCTV coverage, and rest areas.

 

Artist's impression: Active transport network.

Key highlights

Responding to early community consultation, many design improvements have been made since the reference design was released in 2020. These include:

1. grade-separated interchanges at Helensvale Road, Gold Coast Highway, and Smith Street Motorway
2. a shared pedestrian/bike path with connections to Helensvale and Parkwood Stations
3. rest areas on the shared path including 2 viewing platforms
4. safety barriers, signage, noise barriers, and lighting where required
5. upgrades to surrounding local roads at interchange locations.

Protecting the environment

Regulated by local, state, and federal legislation, the project will ensure environmental impacts are identified and appropriately avoided, mitigated, or managed.

To ensure the Coomera Connector is designed and delivered in an environmentally sensitive manner, TMR has, over the past 3 years, completed extensive environmental investigations along the Stage 1 corridor including:

• koala and wildlife surveys to determine habitat values for native fauna
• flora surveys to determine the presence of protected plants
• aquatic ecology surveys and water quality monitoring.

The information and data collected from these surveys has identified the measures required to meet legislative obligations and enhance environmental outcomes.

Design update

Town Centre Drive and Buckler Drive

• Buckler Drive will be realigned to eliminate the reference design underpass, providing connection to Helensvale light rail station and a new connection to Gold Coast Highway on the western side of the Coomera Connector.
• A new road and bridge structure will be built over the Coomera Connector to connect Town Centre Drive to Buckler Drive.
• An extension of Sage Street bridge over the Coomera Connector is required. The Town Centre Drive bridge and Sage Street bridge will be constructed at different times to allow access to remain.

Smith Street Motorway interchange

• A grade-separated interchange with a northbound on-ramp and southbound off-ramp from the Coomera Connector will provide connection with the Smith Street Motorway.
• The existing Pacific Motorway (M1) Exit 66 on and off-ramps to Smith Street Motorway will remain in their current location, with new bridge structures allowing the Coomera Connector to pass underneath.

 

Artist's impression: Coomera Connector running below the Smith Street Motorway on-ramps and off-ramps.

Napper Road and Parkwood park 'n' ride

• Access to the Parkwood park 'n' ride car park from Smith Street will be reconfigured.
• Additional carparks will be provided at Parkwood park 'n' ride station with new pick up and drop off locations for bus connections, taxi/ride share and kiss 'n' ride passengers.
• The active transport path will provide local connections to Napper Road, Parkwood Station and continue south on the eastern side of the Coomera Connector.

Ridgevale Drive

• Upgrading the existing bridge along Ridgevale Drive and providing a new bridge over the Coomera Connector provides vehicle and pedestrian access across the Coomera Connector and less impact than rebuilding this bridge over the existing rail line.
• The upgrade will include an active transport ramp into Ridgevale Park and connect with local footpaths in The Shores.
• A fauna corridor will be maintained alongside The Shores on the eastern side of the Coomera Connector with a fauna passage provided under Ridgevale Drive and wildlife corridor underpass south of Urangan Court.

Artist's impression: Ridgevale Drive bridge.

Gold Coast Highway interchange

• A grade-separated interchange with both north and southbound on-ramp and off-ramps from the Coomera Connector will provide connection with Gold Coast Highway.
• 2 signalised traffic intersections along this section of Gold Coast Highway (a reduction from 3 signalised traffic intersections outlined in the reference design).
• The existing Gold Coast Highway bridge will be widened.
• The shared pedestrian and bike path will continue along the eastern side of the Coomera Connector, providing local community access to Helensvale light and heavy rail stations and shopping precinct.
• Improved connectivity with local footpaths and parklands.

Artist's impression: Coomera Connector looking north to Gold Coast Highway intersection.

Stage 1 Central project timeline

• 2019: Options analysis phase
• 2019-2020: Initial Stage 1 community consultation
• 2021: Business case finalised
• Late 2022: Public Environment Report released
• Early 2023: Detailed design commenced and early works
• Early 2024: Design released and enabling works
• Early 2024: Construction commences

Minimising disruption

TMR and its contractors are committed to keeping everyone informed of construction activities. Depending on the impact, advice to residents will be provided through:

• letterbox flyers
• face-to-face meetings
• email traffic alerts
• SMS text messages, or
• regular project e-news updates.

We aim to provide timely and accurate information of the upcoming construction works to residents. This will assist you to make plans that best suit your individual circumstances and help you to mitigate the impacts of the works.

FHHMJV has developed a Communication and Engagement Strategy to ensure a consistent and proactive approach to managing impacts during the design and construction phases of Stage 1 Central. The strategy includes:

• an overview of the project
• who has an interest in the project
• FHHMJV's communication and engagement approach.

Have your say

Your feedback is valuable and TMR would like to hear what you think about the design for the Stage 1 Central section and what project considerations are important to you. Provide your feedback by contacting the project team using the details below or by coming along to one of the community consultation sessions.

Telephone: 1800 568 978 (select option 2)

Email: coomeraconnector@tmr.qld.gov.au

A communication and engagement strategy, developed by FHHMJV and TMR, identifies stakeholders, issues, and the communication and engagement approach that will be taken to gather feedback to inform the development of the design.

Many of the design elements for the Coomera Connector Stage 1 were decided during the planning and business case phases. These meet strict safety and engineering standards, environmental legislative requirements, and achieve a road design that best accommodates traffic volumes and is safe and suitable for all road users.

As a result, the following are fixed and unchangeable:

• corridor and alignment
• number of lanes
• speed limits
• location of intersections and interchanges
• property impacts.

More information about the Coomera Connector

• Stage 1 Central project page
• PDF version of the Stage 1 Helensvale to Smith Street Motorway newsletter
• Active transport
• Construction noise and vibration
• Environmental management
• Smith Street fact sheet
• Ridgevale Drive fact sheet
• Gold Coast Highway fact sheet