Coomera Connector: Construction to begin in 2021 after federal and state governments match funding
The State Government insists construction of the $2.4 billion Coomera Connector will begin within nine months, despite the LNP raising doubts. It can now be revealed which part of the road will be built first.
Gold Coast
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TRANSPORT Minister Mark Bailey has vowed construction of the $2.4 billion Coomera Connector will begin next year come hell or high water after coming under fire from the Opposition.
The Federal Government will set aside $750 million for the first stage of the arterial road between Nerang and Coomera, matching funds put forward by the State Government in September.
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But the Opposition insists the State Government won’t be able to deliver the entire project during the 2020-2024 parliamentary term, despite Mr Bailey saying construction would take more than three years.
Coomera MP Michael Crandon said the LNP’s alternative proposal would be shorter, narrower and cheaper than that put forward by the government.
“With Mark Bailey it is always smoke and mirrors and nowhere has he said he would built anything in the next four years,” he said.
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“How much of stage one will he be able to build in the next term of government for this funding?
“The LNP would build two lanes each way to build our stage one which would cost only $550 million.”
The LNP’s plans are at odds with those of the state and federal governments which have both tipped in $750 million for the six-lane, 16.6km first stage of the arterial road between Carrara and the Coomera Marine Precinct.
Mr Bailey laughed off Mr Crandon’s comments and categorically ruled out any delay in the project.
“Construction will begin by the middle of next year, which is just nine months away,” he said.
“The Coomera River bridge will be just the first piece of the project and I look forward to the sod turning.
“We were very happy to see the federal funding and we have been working hard to get to this point for five years.”
It was revealed on Monday that more than $762 million will be poured into Gold Coast road upgrades in Tuesday’s federal budget in a major boost for the city’s economy.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack will announce $750 million for the first stage of the $2 billion Coomera Connector, allowing construction to begin in mid-2021.
It matches the $755 million put forward last month by the State Government to fund the 16.6km first stage of the arterial road between Carrara and the Coomera Marine Precinct.
Mr Morrison said this week’s budget would be focused on job creation to drive the recovery from the COVID-19 downturn.
“The substantial injection of funding delivered in this year’s Budget shows the Government is serious about laying the foundations for an infrastructure-led recovery from the economic shock of the global pandemic,” he said.
“We have been working closely with state and territory governments to invest in the infrastructure that is ready to go and can help rebuild our economy and create more jobs.”
Tuesday’s budget will also contain $10 million for the upgrade of the southbound section of Exit 45 on the M1 and $2 million to upgrade the intersection of the Currumbin Creek Road and Bienvenue Drive.
Both projects also received matching funding from the State Government last month.
The three projects will create a combined 776 jobs.
“Infrastructure means jobs, it means livelihoods, it means stronger local communities and it means building a better and more secure future for our nation,” Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said.
“We will draw on local businesses to stimulate local economies through these projects.”
Tuesday’s budget is expected to be focused almost entirely on economic recovery measures to boost the economy following the first recession in 29 years.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is expected to announce the largest budget deficit since World War II.
The Gold Coast road funding announcements come weeks after the State Government formally filed its funding request with Canberra.
Construction of the Coomera Connector will begin in mid-2021 and run for more than three years.
The six-lane Coomera Connector will eventually stretch 45km from Nerang to Logan.
It is expected to take up to 60,000 vehicles off the M1 and was fully gazetted by the State Government last year.
The road, formerly known as the intra-regional transport corridor (IRTC), has long been part of the State Government’s future plans to reduce congestion but was dumped by the former Newman government in 2013, against the wishes of the Gold Coast City Council.
The project was restored in 2015, with early scoping works and a $20 million business case having already been completed.
Originally published as Coomera Connector: Construction to begin in 2021 after federal and state governments match funding