Coomera Connector: Stage 1 South - Newsletter: November 2023
The Coomera Connector is South East Queensland's largest road infrastructure project which 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 South package from Smith Street Motorway, Molendinar to Nerang-Broadbeach Road, Nerang is currently in the design phase.
Design and upcoming works
In August 2022, a design contract was awarded to BG&E Pty Ltd and HDR Pty Ltd Joint Venture who are now progressing the design.
An early works package south of Nerang River will commence early next year, with major construction expected to start in late 2024.
Coomera Connector Stage 1 will progressively open to traffic in sections from late 2025, weather and site conditions permitting.
Coomera Connector Stage 1 South package project location map
Download the proposed design of the Coomera Connector Stage 1 South map for more information.
Key highlights
Stage 1 South will be a be a 4-lane, high-speed motorway with:
- a grade-separated interchange at Southport-Nerang Road
- a new intersection at Nerang-Broadbeach Road
- a major bridge structure over the Nerang River
- a shared pedestrian/bike path with connections to existing active transport networks
- road furniture including safety barriers, signage, noise barriers and lighting where required.
Key project considerations
Community consultation during the business case phase included information sessions, newsletters, fact sheets and online surveys, and identified the following considerations were important to the community.
Protecting the environment
Protecting the environment is a key part of planning for new infrastructure projects. To ensure the Coomera Connector is designed and delivered in an environmentally sensitive manner, over the past 4 years, Transport and Main Roads has 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.
Transport and Main Roads is committed to protecting the environment, with allowances for fauna passage, including fauna fencing where required in the Stage 1 South corridor. This will help to keep wildlife safe while moving around their natural habitats.
Active transport
As part of the Queensland Government's commitment to making walking, using mobility devices or riding a bike an easy, convenient and enjoyable way to travel, the Coomera Connector includes a new 4m-wide shared pedestrian and bike path. This shared path on the eastern side of the motorway will provide greater opportunities to walk or ride, whether it be for transport, recreation, commuting, fitness or socialising.
This shared path will join to existing local footpaths and provide connections to key community hubs and amenities at Molendinar and Nerang, including Nerang Train Station and Heritage Bank Stadium.
The new path will also include a range of landscaping features such as shade trees, lighting, CCTV coverage and rest areas. These elements will be confirmed through further design work.
Noise mitigation
Transport and Main Roads recognises that noise is a concern for residents who will live close to the Coomera Connector.
A detailed road traffic noise assessment for Coomera Connector Stage 1 has been completed to ensure noise is managed appropriately into the future. Additional noise monitoring has also taken place to further inform the design of the Stage 1 South package.
Determining noise mitigation treatments takes a variety of factors into account including the road alignment, ground topography, pavement surface and predicted traffic volumes. Noise barrier locations shown on the map are indicative and are still to be finalised.
Cultural heritage
Transport and Main Roads is committed to both identifying and protecting cultural heritage. Do you know of any historical or cultural heritage values in the area that you would like to share?
If so, please contact the project team at coomeraconnector@bhjvsouth.com.au
Stage 1 South project timeline
- 2019: Options analysis phase
- 2019-2020: Initial Stage 1 community consultation
- 2020: Business case phase
- Late 2022: Public Environment Report released
- Late 2022-2023: Detailed design procurement
- Early 2024: Early works
- Late 2024: Construction commences
Stage 1 South early works
The Stage 1 South early works program aims to make the site for the Coomera Connector construction-ready. These early works will mainly involve bulk earthworks and preloading: this process involves placing new embankment material along with excess material to consolidate the existing ground and increase the bearing capacity of the underlying soft soils.
Early works will include establishing site offices for the project, minor vegetation clearing, relocation of some service utilities, installing weather gauges and implementing local road changes to ensure safe access to work sites.
These early works are expected to start in early 2024.
What to expect
Early works in areas south of the Nerang River will include new embankment and excess material placed on the existing ground surface for approximately 6 months. These embankments will range in height from about 3m to 8m high.
Once the settlement is achieved, the excess embankment will be removed, and the remaining road structure built.
As part of Transport and Main Roads' commitment to sustainability, this removed material will then be recycled and used in the construction of other areas within the corridor.
Minimising disruption
Transport and Main Roads 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
- regular project e-news updates.
Transport and Main Roads aims to provide timely and accurate information of the upcoming construction works to local residents. This will assist you to make plans that best suit your individual circumstances and help you to mitigate the impacts of the works.
Have your say
Your feedback is valuable and Transport and Main Roads would like to hear what you think about the design for the Stage 1 South section and what project considerations are important to you. Provide your feedback by contacting the project team using the details below.
A communication and engagement strategy, developed by BG&E Pty Ltd and HDR Pty Ltd Joint Venture and Transport and Main Roads, identifies stakeholders, issues, and the communication and engagement approach that will be taken to gather feedback to inform the development of the design. This strategy will be regularly reviewed and evaluated as the design progresses.
Many of the design elements for 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.
How your feedback has made a difference
Transport and Main Roads is committed to supporting local businesses and keeping our communities connected.
Earlier community consultation with local property owners identified the challenges of the initial proposed road changes along Nerang-Broadbeach Road, and the likely adverse impacts to their businesses.
As a result, Transport and Main Roads has amended the road alignment to ensure their current direct access continues, and only driveway access changes, where required are expected.
As the design of the Stage 1 South package progresses, Transport and Main Roads will continue to work with local businesses and residents to keep them informed and provide opportunities for feedback.