Helensvale Rd upgrade complicated by environmental treaty protecting wetlands

A road upgrade on the Gold Coast is facing a major stumbling block due to a 50-year-old United Nations treaty ratified by more than 170 countries. Full details.

Keith Woods

@keithjwoods

2 min read

September 6, 2024 - 12:00PM

Gold Coast Bulletin

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A United Nations treaty ratified by 172 governments is a key stumbling block to upgrading a Gold Coast road expected to bear the brunt of Coomera Connector traffic.

Council modelling suggests large numbers of motorists will travel to Helensvale Rd from surrounding suburbs to access the so-called ‘second M1’ when Stage One North from Coomera to Helensvale opens next year.

The traffic problem is expected to continue until Stage One Central is completed, further extending the Coomera Connector to Molendinar.

Work on Stage 1 North of the Coomera Connector at Monterey Keys, with its ends point at Helensvale Rd in the background. Picture: TMR

Addressing a council Transport Committee meeting last month, Division 2 councillor Naomi Fowler said long-planned Helensvale Rd upgrades had become more urgent as a result.

Councillors voted unanimously to request officials urgently report back to the committee.

However adjacent land has been designated as internationally important wetland under an environmental treaty called the Ramsar Convention, complicating upgrade plans.

“Upgrading Helensvale Road from the interchange to Hope Island is not without its challenges. We’re facing complex considerations such as the Ramsar environmental protection on the wetlands boundary that may prevent duplication,” Cr Fowler said.

“I’ve requested City Officers to bring a detailed report to Council outlining the Helensvale Rd future upgrade, obstacles, a potential timeframe for delivery, and a preliminary budget, which could be more than $150 million.

“This is a highly complex upgrade involving signalling, two bridges, and a sensitive wetland area. It requires careful planning to balance the economic impact on ratepayers, the environmental considerations of the wetlands, and the potential future traffic congestion.”

Helensvale Rd, close to where Stage One North of the Coomera Connector will terminate. Picture: Google Maps.

The Ramsar Convention, named after Iran city Ramsar where it was signed in 1971, protects internationally important wetlands.

The Coombabah Lakelands adjoining Helensvale Rd are part of the Moreton Bay Ramsar Wetland, declared in 1993. It includes feeding and roosting sites for internationally and nationally-listed wading birds including the Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel and Eastern Curlew.

At the Stage One North work site on Tuesday, Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the state was working with council on the issues.

“The state is significantly investing, this is a massive road project,” she said.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon and Senator Anthony Chisholm inspecting work on Stage One North of the Coomera Connector on Tuesday September 3. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

Cr Fowler said council’s work with the state government had seen improvements to the Helensvale Rd interchange, with council contributing $2.7 million to those changes.

“Our Council has worked closely with the State Government to ensure the Coomera Connector interchange will significantly reduce traffic congestion on Helensvale Road once it’s operational.

“We’ve committed $2.7 million as part of this external delivery agreement for the State Government to upgrade the Coomera Connector interchange surrounding section of Helensvale Road, which will be a better outcome for residents.”

Division 2 councillor Naomi Fowler. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

Theodore MP Mark Boothman said residents were fearful of local traffic impacts when Stage One North of the Coomera Connector opened and frustrated by a lack of state government information.

“Residents are continually kept in the dark about the Coomera Connector and how it will impact on feeder roads in our community. The Department of Transport Main Roads needs to be open and transparent about cost blowouts and how the new road will impact daily commutes through each stage of construction.

“The only messaging we receive from Transport and Main Roads is glossy brochures about key milestones but they lack any details of impacts for residents.

“What planning has Transport and Main Roads done to facilitate easier access to Coomera Connector, especially for motorists from the western side of the M1 Motorway?

“The LNP supports this project but the Labor Government needs to stop keeping residents in the dark about its impacts and improve communication with our community.”