Project pain before gains

‘Congestion, strikes’

NORTHERN Gold Coast residents are bracing themselves for increased traffic congestion on suburban roads and park closures as work starts on building the Coomera Connector.

They are also predicting construction of the second M1 will cause more koala strikes.

The State Government last week announced it will start work on the $2.16bn project. It ended speculation about the state’s biggest road project after residents tried to stop it only for their request to the Federal Environment Department to be rejected.

The four-lane highway in a six-lane corridor will be delivered in three construction packages on the 16km first stage, with the first section from Shipper Drive to Helensvale Road.

Work is scheduled to start this weekend.

The Transport and Main Roads Department has emailed city councillors with a brief on roadworks, which will reduce double lanes on some suburban link roads to single.

Helensvale-based city councillor William Owen-Jones has released the key details which include new road markings at the following areas:

● Helensvale Road, Helensvale, between Warrego Way and Dalley Park Drive

● Hope Island Road, Helensvale, between River Links Boulevard and Riverleigh Drive

● Shipper Drive, Coomera including some local roads within the construction area there.

Traffic control devices would be established on those roads showing the reduction of speed limits through the works areas.

TMR have advised of several pedestrian footpath changes, including the permanent closure of Warrego Way pedestrian underpass.

Saltwater Creek Reserve which includes public parking bays and amenities would be temporarily closed as work progresses on the Coomera River crossing for the new highway.

“We thank you for your patience and co-operation during these works,” a Main Roads spokesperson wrote, in the briefing note.

The early works include vegetation clearing after recent approvals. Fauna spotters and catchers would be working on site.

Other TMR workers would be identifying underground services and involved in earthworks along with piling platform construction.

Residents who attempted to stop the road have urged the Federal Government to keep “a close eye with 56 conditions put on project as part of approval”.

Some residents on Cr OwenJones’ Facebook page posted of their concerns about the fate of the local koala population.

Cr Owen-Jones has asked them to contact their local State MPs including Mark Boothman (Theodore), Sam O’Connor (Bonney) and Michael Crandon (Coomera).

“I am a Councillor. In this case I am the messenger,” he wrote. “The State has paid no heed to anything the City has said to them. Your real advocate in regards to this State controlled project should be and is your local State Member of Parliament.”