PAUL WESTON
YOUR MUST-READ COLUMNIST
THERE’S a hidden intersection where the Gold Coast’s newest freeway, residents and koalas crash into each other. This will be the Coomera Connector’s biggest political challenge. Take the drive.
Much of the public protest so far about the second M1 has focused on Arundel and new Helensvale estates with multimillion-dollar homes near the rail station.
But drive north across the Gold Coast Hwy, up Discovery Dve past the council library, east along Ridgevale Dve and you will find an overhead railway bridge.
Residents refer to it as “the scene of the crime”. Ahead is The Shores estate, where the Coombabah Lake nestles on its eastern side.
At the overhead railway bridge, signs warn about kangaroos and koalas. Below the train tracks, and to the immediate east, is a small green buffer where the Connector will be built.
Emails show Mark Hunter, the former school principal and leading speaker who resigned from the community reference group for the project, met with government staff in late January.
He later wrote back about his fears of noise levels being monitored at only two places.
“I strongly recommend that baseline data be taken at regular intervals along the Shores section,” he wrote.
He asked that data for noise and air pollution be published once the Connector was built. He added: “I got the impression that the sound barrier next to the units at the bridge was deemed enough. This barrier was installed some time ago. It is not difficult to assume that the quality of sound management will not equate with what is possible now. I believe that it should be replaced.”
Mr Hunter saw this as an opportunity to build a world-best green highway, to consider above-ground tunnels topped with natural covering supporting koala mobility.
He has worked with hospices, written a play about death, his focus was also on human health.
“I believe that the construction of the Connector will negatively impact on the mental health of those who live next to the road. I strongly recommend that baseline data be collected to determine currently levels of mental health and wellbeing. This data be collected from those who are next to the Connector.”
His requests were simple. He wanted substantive data. It was “essential” that residents impacted negatively by the highway be included in the government’s “business case”.
From Transport and Main Roads’ position, all community group members had to sign a “terms of reference” which outlined the group’s objectives.
When members first met in September last year, they raised “76 questions, issues and opportunities”.
TMR maintains it has responded to all the items in its report released in February.
The report is comprehensive and much of its findings published by the Bulletin on Thursday.
But here’s the thing. Residents like Mr Hunter are not really sure whether the Connector next to the Shores will be on the western or eastern side of the railway bridge, down on the railway line or on top.
A 360-degree view provided on the TMR site shows it will be on the eastern side.
Wherever it is, now is the time for the transport department to listen, not just to residents but to the noise levels that showcase their relaxed, quality lifestyle.
Their real concerns are not about the noise from construction but the combination of sound from trains and highway vehicles that will follow. We have been on this road before with the M1.