Coomera Connector campaign: “This road is within one kilometre of my house so that will suck.”

A wave of protest is starting against the Coomera Connector, with residents listing three key concerns.

A wave of protest is starting about the Coomera Connector with some residents concerned that the second M1 will create more noise, decrease their property values and destroy wetlands.

Queensland Greens Gold Coast member and Coomera resident Tom Andraszek in a petition to State Parliament had called for the Coomera Connector project to be cancelled.

Still from a Transport and Main Roads video showing how the Coomera Connector is expected to look.

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Residents on the Facebook page of northern-based councillor William Owen-Jones have also voiced concerns after attending the government’s consultation sessions which on the weekend attracted hundreds of people at Westfield Helensvale.

Mr Andraszek in his petition said the $2.4 billion six-lane highway planned from Nerang to Stapleton in the north would impact on the “quality of life, health and wealth” of tens of thousands of residents.

He said the government should cancel the Coomera Connector and focus on improving public transport. He obtained signatures from 657 residents for his petition during September.

“To reduce congestion, the State should expand the rail network and make services more frequent and faster,” he said.

New mapping released for the Coomera Connector showing the first stage from Nerang to Coomera.

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“Train stations should be residential, commercial and business hubs. Safe cycleway networks should provide additional access to train stations and schools. Bus stops should be within a ten-minute walk for all city residents. Commuting should be cheaper than driving.”

Mr Andraszek said he understood the petition would not be debated in the Parliament, but he would receive a response from Transport Minister Mark Bailey.

He said the second M1 would impact on important wetlands at Eagleby and Coombabah and wildlife corridors through Pimpama, Coomera and Helensvale.

“It’s incredible what is going on at Coomera. If you live on Foxwell Road, block after block is being cleared. The lay of the land is changing,” he said.

Cr Owen-Jones who is a strong supporter of the new transport infrastructure has encouraging residents to attend consultation organised by the government and fill out a survey after some had complained about the Coomera Connector.

Councillor William Owen Jones — I’m trying to get as many people as possible to complete the survey. Photo: David Clark.

A resident on his Facebook page in a post wrote: “I have mixed feelings about this road, on the one hand it will help traffic but it’s also within one kilometre of my house so that will suck.”

Cr Owen-Jones said he had received feedback from some residents who had complained about the quality of the State’s survey on the second M1.

“I’ve just directed them towards talking to their State members. You can attach and say whatever you want (to the survey),” Cr Owen-Jones.

“They need to get the design right. I’m trying to get as many people as possible to complete the survey and be involved. I get that some people don’t like it but the survey allows them to say whatever they like at the very end.”

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the Coomera Connector was a “much needed new road project” and the government was listening to feedback during public consultation.

“For north Gold Coast residents, it’ll mean they will have an alternative to get to around the Coast without having to get on and off a busy M1 with 210,000 daily vehicles at 110km/h,” he said.

“Public consultation for this project is happening right now, and we’re listening to local feedback to make sure we get this new road project right.

“In Eagleby, for example, we’ve worked closely with the local MP Mel McMahon, residents and community groups to investigate potential alternative routes for the northern section, to take into account local concerns.

TMR was also working with the community, the Koala Advisory Council, other volunteer groups and government environmental agencies to develop a Coomera Connector environmental management plan, Mr Bailey said.