Support for Connector

But northerners not as positive

AT least 80 per cent of people surveyed want the Coomera Connector built but the second M1 is dividing one suburb.

Consultation undertaken by the Palaszczuk government found 98 per cent of residents believed traffic congestion would worsen as the Pacific Motorway reached gridlock on the northern end of the Gold Coast.

The Coomera Connector is expected to take up to 60,000 vehicles daily off the M1, encouraging residents from Pimpama to Nerang to use the new eastern motorway.

A Colmar Brunton telephone survey of 1000 residents businesses and residents, and “qualitative” interviews with community groups, found about 80 per cent of respondents supported the new road.

As well, 76 per cent wanted stage one of the Connector to be from Nerang to Coomera.

Construction is expected to start mid-year.

A breakdown of postcodes shows there is only 67 per cent support for the second M1 in Eagleby, Alberton and Stapylton. At Coomera and Pimpama, 83 per cent of residents and businesses back the $1.53 billion project.

But community consultation shows those living near the route had the biggest concerns.

More than half the respondents who said they did not support the six-lane highway live at Helensvale, with their No.1 issue being noise.

They want “substantial noise barriers”, a green belt of vegetation, proper barriers and better road surfaces.

Support is for a six-lane elevated highway rather than a ground level, lower-speed road with traffic signals.

Transport and Main Roads acknowledged road traffic noise must be addressed and department staff would make an assessment and monitor sounds close to the corridor.

The design of the highway would include “strategic placement of the proposed walking and cycling path to provide an additional buffer between homes and traffic lanes and inclusion of noise walls and landscaping”.

TMR said it would consider road surfaces that minimise traffic noise.

A resident, echoing the thoughts of many, told researchers: “I’m not against the proposal, just its proximity to our quiet, family community.”

About 10 per cent of residents were concerned about the impact on the natural environment, 14 per cent on wildlife and 11 per cent on land resumptions.

The Bulletin has highlighted how Helensvale residents would consider legal action about noise levels. Arundel property owners also have voiced concerns about the closeness of the corridor.

The consultation report confirmed some residents had bought land unaware the road would be near their estate.

“However, as all focus groups pointed out, the road has been planned for a long time and is public knowledge – there was no negativity around the government trying to keep it a secret and not being transparent,” the report said.