Connector reveal
Maps show there will not be any property resumptions
MAPPING provided for the Coomera Connector consultation process shows the proposed six-lane highway will not force property resumptions at Arundel or Helensvale.
Maps also show vegetation will be maintained where possible along the route for the second M1 as it skirts The Shores estate at Helensvale, where residents were worried about noise and impact on property values.
Residents attending consultation sessions are being assured there is “flexibility” with options that allow for either overhead bridges or traffic lights at major connecting east-west roads at Nerang, Helensvale and Coomera.
These would be part of the first stage of the project, which would take local traffic off the saturated M1.
The Bulletin yesterday reported the Pacific Motorway is officially bursting at the seams, with fresh government data showing 160,135 cars used a hotspot section of the M1 daily in the city’s north last year. Given a projected 3000-4000 car annual increase, that figure is now expected to exceed the 162,000 vehicles a day capacity of Queensland’s busiest road.
Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon, who has set up a consultation stall at the Pacific Pines shopping centre, said public responses there were similar to those at Nerang at a previous session.
“Most people agree it needs to be done but they are appreciative of the opportunity to put forward their feedback,” Ms Scanlon said.
“Today we’ve had some people come over from the Helensvale area who are wanting to provide that feedback. It shows why consultation is important and has to be done.”
Ms Scanlon said the major concern for residents was the impact of the route on property values, noise and the environment.
“But the majority of people we’ve spoken to, even if they have some slight concerns, absolutely accept that this needs to go ahead. It’s just finding the best solution,” she said.
Mapping shows the first stage of the Coomera Connector will start just west of the Chisholm Rd and Nerang-Broadbeach Rd intersection near Metricon Stadium at Carrara. The six-lane highway will cross the Nerang River east of the heavy rail bridge where there is to be a connection with SouthportNerang Rd.
Whether the junction involves traffic lights or an overpass will depend on residents’ feedback during consultation. The highway is to rise above the car park and light rail station at Parkwood and then follow north along the corridor to Helensvale by the tram tracks.
Maps show the highway can fit in the corridor, leaving a gap to the housing at The Surrounds estate just south of the Helensvale train station.
The graphic being provided to residents confirms no properties will need to be acquired further north at The Surrounds and “local road and pedestrian access maintained” to Helensvale station.
Country Club Rd would be moved east, ensuring estate residents would still be able to drive north to Brisbane Rd.
In January this year LNP Bonney MP Sam O’Connor feared homes in the $1 billion developments could be acquired because the light rail had taken up much of the transport corridor to Helensvale. Transport mapping showed pinch points and Mr O’Connor, at the time, said “it doesn’t take an engineer to see that a six-lane arterial road isn’t going to fit between the light rail station (at Helensvale) and Country Club Drive”.
New mapping for residents shows the Coomera Connector follows the heavy rail corridor north and at The Shores, where homes front Coombabah Lake, the vegetation in the transport corridor is to be “maintained where possible”. The final connection for the Coomera Connector stage one is at Oakey Creek Rd and Foxwell Rd at Coomera, where consultants have noted “connection to existing road network is under investigation”.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the Government and council officers would discuss how best to improve the road network at the northern end of the highway.