Coomera Connector on federal environment minister’s radar

The federal government has been asked to intervene over the controversial proposed six-lane Coomera Connector, which would plough through significant wetlands south of Brisbane.

The Coomera Connector route; State Transport Minister Mark Bailey; Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley.

The federal government is considering whether to intervene over a proposed six-lane highway which will plough through significant wetlands.

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley has been asked to consider assessing the environmental impacts of the third stage of the Coomera Connector through Eagleby Wetlands but is yet to decide whether to intervene.

Last week, the state government said it would push ahead with approved plans to build the highway through the wetlands, despite heavy protests from locals and a state-instigated independent review of the route.

Forde MP Bert van Manen contacted Ms Ley after the state government said it would not change the approved route, revealed in maps in the Queensland Government Gazette in 2019.

The planned road in red as it would touch the wetlands.

Mr Van Manen said the federal government would step in if 18 Latham Snipe migratory birds were found at the wetlands or at least 15 species of migratory shorebirds.

“If surveys demonstrate there are at least 18 individuals of Latham’s Snipe and or at least 15 species of migratory shorebird at the Eagleby wetland site, the federal government would consider it ‘nationally important habitat’ for listed migratory species,” he said.

“I will seek to arrange a pre-referral meeting between the Eagleby Wetlands Group and representatives from the Federal Department of the Environment.”

Referral under the EPBC Act would include a full assessment of impacts of national environmental significance.

State Transport Minister Mark Bailey said he was not concerned about the proposed federal environmental assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Eagleby residents say they are concerned the six-lane highway will ruin significant wetlands and isolate their town.

He 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.

The state government still has to acquire a further 83 properties along the entire highway connector route.

The review, instigated by the state government, found the route through the wetlands was better than six alternatives including one put forward by Eagleby residents wanting to save their community from being encircled by the six-lane highway.

Mr Bailey said the independent review found the approved route was the best way to alleviate traffic on the congested M1 and had the best environmental outcomes.

He said of the six alternatives, one cut through a koala priority area, others affected RAMSAR wetlands and did not take pressure off the M1.

Another alternative did not connect to the M1 and linked to Beenleigh-Redland Bay Rd, which Mr Bailey said defeated the purpose of having a second M1.

COOMERA CONNECTOR LAND RESUMPTIONS

MP CALLS ON STATE TO REVIEW ROUTE THROUGH EAGLEBY

CABINET WITHHOLDS SECRET COOMERA CONNECTOR DOCUMENTS

MP SLAMS GOVERNMENT OVER COOMERA CONNECTOR

MAPS SHOW CONNECTOR THROUGH DAISY HILL

TOLL RULED OUT ON SECOND M1

“We are committed to working with the local community which is why we got an independent assessment of the six different alternative routes that were being put forward by locals to be looked at in terms of the possibilities of taking pressure off the M1 and the impacts on the environment,” he said.

“That has come back, independent of government, and the alternatives that were put forward really didn’t perform.

“Whenever you do a large piece of infrastructure like this to take pressure off the M1, you are not going to have 100 per cent of people agree with the route that you choose.

“But there has been minimal impact as possible on the environment and community and I am very happy for the EPBC Act to be applied and scrutinise this gazetted corridor.”

The section of the highway through Eagleby is the third and final stage of the 43km project with building on the first $1.5 billion stage between Carrara and Coomera set to start this year.

Mr Bailey said there were six different community sessions for residents to meet with planners to discuss design issues within the gazetted corridor.

He said planners would look at ways to enhance the area around Eagleby, with the potential to include board walks around the wetlands to support bird watching and eco-tourism.