$1.5bn Coomera Connector development in QLD marks new milestone

Queensland’s second M1 and the Gold Coast’s largest road project is a step closer to being built with local construction companies now invited to submit their proposals for the $1.5 billion Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector. 

Contractors have received their first industry briefing and the Australian Government is aiming to get shovels on the ground in 2021. 

“The M1 is Queensland’s busiest road and the local community knows this is going to be an absolute game-changer. 

“This is critical to busting congestion, supporting a growing Gold Coast and boosting the economy as we recover from COVID,” Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said. 

Key features of the Coomera Connector will include: 

• Relieving pressure on the M1 by providing an alternative route for local traffic and additional crossing of the Logan, Albert, Coomera and Nerang rivers 
• Providing improved connections and accessibility to more transport options on the northern Gold Coast 
• Improving travel time between Brisbane and the Gold Coast by reducing the number of local trips on the M1 
• Increasing safety on the M1 by reducing congestion and potential queuing at interchanges 
• Providing more reliable travel times between Brisbane and the Gold Coast 

The 16-kilometre Stage 1 of the project is going to be delivered in three separate construction packages, maximising opportunities to engage more local contractors as well as allow the road to progressively open to traffic sooner over the next four years. 

“Our complete 16-kilometre Stage 1 between Coomera and the AFL stadium will take up to 60,000 vehicles a day off the M1 and create another 700 new jobs on top of the 1,600 supported by our current M1 and light rail projects. 

“The Queensland Government has gazetted the corridor, is getting work done on the design and by reaching out to industry today, we’ll be able to get jobs going by next year to support our state’s economic recovery,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said. 

The first package of works for Stage 1 is expected to involve road works from Shipper Drive, Coomera to Helensvale Road in Helenvale. 

“Work will then follow between Helensvale Road to Smith Street Motorway, and south of Smith Street Motorway to Nerang-Broadbeach Road. 

“By delivering the project in packages, we’re maximising our ability to create jobs for local business and open key sections of the 16-kilometre road quicker without having to wait for another area to be complete,” Federal member for Forde Bert van Manen said. 

The second M1 project builds on the Australian and Queensland Governments’ strong record when it comes to building roads, transforming transport as well as creating jobs. 

“Whether it’s through the $1 billion M1 upgrade from Varsity lakes to Tugun, the M1 upgrade from Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes or light rail we are delivering for the Gold Coast. 

“Right across Queensland and the nation, the Australian Government continues to roll out our $110 billion infrastructure investment program, which is laying the economic foundations for recovery following the pandemic,” Federal Member for Fadden Stuart Robert said. 

Project map (source: Department of Transport and Main Roads)

Local businesses are encouraged to “throw their hat in the ring” and get involved in the delivery of the Coomera Connector. 

“Close to 80 per cent of businesses involved in the Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes section of the M1 were local. I want to see that same level of local involvement replicated in our second M1 – and we can only do that if local businesses put their hand up. 

“Our work means getting families home sooner and throwing our support behind Queensland businesses. We’ve seen great local companies like LanTrak already involved in our $1 billion M1 upgrade to the border, alongside many more other local contractors forming a 2,000-plus strong workforce building better roads and transport for the Gold Coast,” State Member for Gaven and Minister Meaghan Scanlon said. 

The Coomera Connector is going to be a state-controlled north-south corridor between Loganholme and Nerang, east of the M1 Pacific Motorway. Stage 1 will cover the southern section between Coomera and Nerang, whereas the future stages of the project will cover the northern section between Loganholme and Coomera. 

The Australian and Queensland Governments have committed a total of $1.53 billion to deliver Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector on a 50:50 basis. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads