Blowout ‘known’ claims

Some of the factors leading to the $864 million blowout in the Coomera Connector would have been known for more than a year, the state opposition claims.

The state government on Tuesday confirmed it would seek a $432m matching contribution from the Commonwealth to meet the cost increases on Queensland’s biggest road project.

The opposition fears the motorway project, dubbed the second M1, is at risk of not being completed, with the cost factors hidden as the state reacted to community concerns about design and environmental issues.

The government also confirmed another delay with the Stage 1 North to open progressively from late 2025 instead of later this year.

The Bulletin has been given a breakdown in costs increases which shows:

● Almost $30m for new noise barriers.

● About $37m for the increase from four to six lanes in the Central package

● $21m for the Nerang River bridge structure.

● $115m for environmental approvals and impacts from conditions set.

Bonney LNP MP Sam O’Connor, along with industry sources, believe the Transport Department would have known about some of the potential cost blowouts.

“I think they are concerned the federal government won’t come and bail them out again. I’m very worried about that as well, because it is putting the project at risk,” Mr O’Connor said.

“I’m concerned they won’t come to the state’s rescue.”

In March last year, the state government began the earth works at Hope Island where then Transport Minister Mark Bailey announced the Coomera Connector would be “six lanes in its busiest sections” as part of a $2.16 billion project.

Mr O’Connor said the state government clearly knew what these costs were a year ago.