Eagleby residents chalk up win as state backs down over northern Coomera Connector route
A small township south of Brisbane was celebrating a victory this evening after the state government announced it would rethink the route for the controversial Second M1.
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EAGLEBY residents were celebrating a victory this afternoon after the state government announced it would rethink the route for the controversial Second M1.
Residents have campaigned to get the route changed since March when the state government sanctioned plans for a road through their the township which would affect pristine wetlands.
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But today, Macalister MP Melissa McMahon said the state would initially concentrate on the southern section of the road between Coomera and Nerang and redesign the northern section, which she said would not go ahead until possibly 2026.
Mrs McMahon said that would allow more time for Eagleby residents to have their say on other potential routes for the northern section between Loganholme and Coomera.
“Eagleby residents feel like they haven’t had a proper chance to share their views on this
route, and my highest priority is to make sure they are listened to by our government,” Ms
McMahon said.
“Many in our community felt more work needed to be done on other options, believing the
route TMR favoured around wetlands, cane farms and near homes could be realigned with
further studies.
“I passed those residents’ concerns on to the Minister, I joined those residents when we met
with the Minister’s office and the decision the Minister has made shows he has listened to
us.
“The decision to prioritise the southern section will provide more time for us to plan the best
route around Eagleby to connect with the Logan Motorway.
“Projected traffic volumes and population growth in our part of the region are smaller than
what is expected to occur in the southern section between Coomera and Nerang.
“We’ll use the extra time this decision has given us to continue discussions with our community so that when we are ready to build this road, we can be confident the route we’ve
chosen is the one with the most support.”
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Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said TMR staff would be out in the
community from November 2019 consulting with locals about the project.
“I have instructed TMR that as part of this consultation, they must consider potential
alternatives to the current gazetted route,” Mr Bailey said.
“Local residents came to meet with my office and with Mel McMahon. Their concerns were
genuine, and we have time to look at other alternatives, so that’s what we’ll do.”
Chairman of the Eagleby Community and Wetlands Group Marilyn Goodwin said the backflip was a major win for Eagleby residents and residents would not accept anything less than an alternative route and the current gazettal reversed and removed from maps.
“Mrs McMahon rang me this evening and said the Minister was already looking at other options for the route,” Mrs Goodwin said.
“She said the government will focus on the southern end first and the northern section will be put on hold until about 2026 to allow time for further investigations into traffic and public transport needs.”
Residents also alerted senior adviser to the Transport Minister David Greene they were keen to be part of any further consultation.
“We will be looking at RAMSAR protection and any other laws and conventions to which the government is signatory,” Mrs Goodwin said.
“As an alternative route is developed we will be seeking to have the current gazettal reversed and removed from maps.”
There will be community consultations beginning in the week of November 16.
Mrs McMahon will speak with urban planning experts to consider all types of vehicular traffic and will arrange public input into meetings.
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