New road ‘will cut’ emissions

ENVIRONMENTALISTS concerned the building of the Coomera Connector might contribute to climate change have been told the road will in fact help reduce emissions.

Documents reveal a small number of people raised concerns that building the road, considered vital to unclogging the M1, would lead to greater greenhouse gases entering the environment.

“Australia’s CO2 emissions per person are higher than the USA and each Australian is responsible for approximately four times the amount of emissions than that of the average British person,” one objection stated.

“How is yet another motorway working towards mitigating the scientific certainty of climate change?”

In response, officials said the road would actually help reduce emissions by ending gridlock on the M1 – which is more polluting than traffic that “flows”.

“The construction and operation of the proposed action will have a benefit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” they wrote.

“Section 2.8.2 (of the Public Environment Report) discusses the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions/km through the movement of vehicles rather than the significantly reduced traffic speed on and into the future on the M1.

“Traffic that flows rather than is slow moving and/or motionless as can be the case on the existing M1, emits less greenhouse gas emissions/vehicle and kilometre driven, something the Australian and Queensland Governments are seeking to achieve through net zero emission commitments by 2050.”

Environmental issues have delayed progress on the new road, with the Bulletin reporting last week that the Federal Department of the Environment has invited public comment on a submission focused on concerns regarding koalas.

Members of the public have until March 10 to make their opinions known.