400 units at Eagleby go ahead despite Coomera Connector threat

A developer is pushing ahead with 450 luxury retirement units even though the state government plans to slap a six-lane highway over the top. CHECK THE MAPS ARE YOU AFFECTED?

A southside developer is ploughing ahead with plans to build 450 units even though some will have to be bulldozed when the six-lane Coomera Connector highway is built.

Retirement village developer Living Gems has started earthworks at a site at Eagleby, where more than 100 units would have to be knocked down when the second M1 is built.

The Transport Department said it was still negotiating the final acquisition of land required for the highway and said it had had regular cordial meetings with the retirement village owners.

Developer Vlad Pullich said he had no option but to continue with his plans while negotiations were under way with the Transport Department.

Bulldozers moved onto the Eagleby Rd site this week and started clearing the land to make way for the 456-unit luxury development.

Mr Pullich said the unit plans were approved in 2019 and of the 456 being built, 110 were in the path of the road.

But he denied claims he was trying to force the hand of government.

456 units are being built down the road to this retirement complex at Eagleby despite the state government planning to slap a six-lane highway over the top of it.

“We are supportive of the Coomera Connector as the M1 certainly needs an upgrade,” he said.

“We have been working with the Transport Department and look forward to achieving a mutually beneficial outcome in due course.

“TMR is fully aware of what we are doing and until the matter is resolved, we will respectfully continue prosecuting our approvals over that site.

“We have not had our land resumed and there is still talk about shifting the route but we have a large and valuable development application.

“This is a risk for both parties but we don’t have the grunt to force the government to do anything.”

Eagleby Rd at Eagleby where the Coomera Connector is expected to go.

This month, Transport Minister Mark Bailey denied claims the government refused to change the route through Eagleby because the state had already acquired 157 properties and said an independent investigation backed the approved plans.

Eagleby Rd at Eagleby where the Coomera Connector is expected to go.

The road will also plough through the home of pioneer Eagleby resident Colin Saverin, who was forced to relinquish to TMR his property which will be demolished for the road.

Mr Saverin said he was gutted and was concerned the unit development and the road would affect the community he had lived in for 87 years.

Eagleby Rd at Eagleby where the Coomera Connector is expected to go.

He also said he had not been adequately informed about the plans despite TMR claims that it had informed all affected property owners about the planned road corridor in January 2019, before it was finally approved in March that year.

Eagleby cartographer Robert Livingstone said the unit development could result in the planned road route being shifted east.

“The traffic from these units and from the road will be disgusting,” he said.

“It is hard enough to get down Eagleby Rd with the two schools and three childcare centres at the moment - so it’s going to be very hard when the units are built and the road goes through.

“Having an offramp dumping traffic on to Fryar Rd will also create more local problems.

Eagleby cartographer Robert Livingstone said the unit development had thrown a spanner in the Coomera Connector works and could push the highway further to the east.

“There was going to be an underpass for local residents when the Coomera Connector is built but that won’t be possible if there are units there already,” Mr Livingstone said.

“We want better consultation so residents are kept informed — especially with two projects wanting to build on the same site.”