Coomera Connector sound barriers: Furious bust-up as MP says 'penny pinching' will cost residents

A Gold Coast MP has been told to withdraw 'offensive' and 'below the belt' comments about the Coomera Connector amid accusations 'penny pinching' will cost local residents dearly. Here's what was said.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey has called on a northern Gold Coast MP to apologise for “below the belt” comments suggesting residents living near the Coomera Connector would be subjected to “booming” noise because they hadn’t voted Labor.

In an impassioned speech to parliament earlier this month, Theodore MP Mark Boothman claimed the government was “penny pinching” in plans for sound barriers along the first stage of the road in northern Helensvale.

Mr Boothman added the issue would be “fixed” if the area was represented by a Labor member.

“The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is planning not to install sound barriers on the western side of the Coomera Connector north of Saltwater Creek,” Mr Boothman said.

“This is a recalcitrant decision that will allow sound to boom through residential houses within close proximity to the Connector.

“If that affected a member over there on the government benches, then I can guarantee you they would get it fixed. I want my residents to be treated as equally as you would have your residents treated.

“The government is more interested in penny-pinching than those residents’ rights to have a decent life in their own back yards in their own properties.”

Theodore MP Mark Boothman speaking in state parliament about the Coomera Connector.

Minister Bailey has since hit back, saying Mr Boothman’s remarks were “offensive” and should be withdrawn.

“TMR designs noise barriers on the basis of objective noise readings on consistent criteria across the state to ensure equal treatment and has done for twenty years across different governments,” he told the Bulletin.

“This case has been no different and was done on the same basis and entirely separate from the Minister of the day.

“Mr Boothman’s comments are offensive, hitting below the belt and he should withdraw them and apologise as he has no evidence at all to back up his political spin.”

Mr Boothman told the Bulletin his comments regarding government members were made in response to barracking from government benches.

The matter was also raised by LNP leader and Broadwater MP David Crisafulli in parliament this week.

Mr Crisafulli said residents of Monterey Keys had already been subject to significant noise and dust from construction works and called for sound barriers to be installed immediately to help alleviate the problem.

HUNDREDS JOIN CALL FOR BETTER SOUND BARRIERS

MORE than 900 worried locals have signed a petition demanding enhanced noise barriers using special caps are built along the route of the Coomera Connector.

But the Department of Transport and Main Roads says the effectiveness of such barriers remains “theoretical and yet to be validated”.

Work has begun on Stage One North of the road from Shipper Drive in Coomera to Helensvale Road, which will see traffic passing the backyards of homes in Monterey Keys and River Downs.

 

 

Image released by the Coomera Connector project team of how a sound barrier on the road will look.

 

Theodore MP Mark Boothman said it was vital that “best practice” sound barriers were installed and has sponsored the petition to parliament calling for caps to be used.

“When it comes to all these options on the table the government needs to consider what the best methods at their disposal are to minimise the impact of this road,” Mr Boothman said.

“Residents are naturally concerned, they’re not too sure what’s going to happen, because they’re being kept in the dark.

“(We should) start using best practice when it comes to technology around the world, and sound caps seem to make a difference.”

Mr Boothman cited a European academic study that showed the noise of vehicles and sirens was considerably reduced when Y-shaped caps were used on barriers.

No such barrier caps are currently in use in Queensland.

“We’re just asking for it to be considered because there is scientific evidence to say that it does make an impact in reducing the sound,” Mr Boothman said.

“The department should actually look into the matter and use it as a test case for other areas.”

Plan for the Helensvale Road interchange on the Coomera Connector.

In a statement to the Bulletin, a Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said that if the caps were proven to be effective “we would use them”, but that had not happened to date.

“Noise reduction is one of the most difficult branches of engineering to model, and we use tried and tested methodology,” the spokesperson said.

“We manage operational road traffic and construction noise under the Transport Noise Management Code of Practice.

“The code guides the direction for assessment, design, and management of the impact of road traffic noise.

“Now the design for the Stage One North package of Coomera Connector has been further progressed, we are finalising noise monitoring data in this area.

“The monitoring determines baseline noise levels, and the subsequent assessment informs mitigation measures including the height, design and placement of barriers.

“While some research has taken place regarding the use of novel caps on top of noise barriers, the results are theoretical and yet to be validated.

“If the caps were a more effective solution, we would be considering them.”

Work on Stage One North, which will be four lanes and have a 100km/h speed limit, is expected to be completed in 2025.

Follow @keithjwoods