Councillors told both Coomera Connector and M1 upgrades must go ahead to beat gridlock

City leaders have warned these vital infrastructure projects must go ahead if the Gold Coast is to avoid being permanently choked by gridlock.

The Gold Coast needs both an upgrade of the Pacific Motorway and the Coomera Connector if gridlock is to be fixed, councillors have been told.

Gold Coast City councillors went into closed session at a transport and infrastructure committee meeting today to discuss the progress on the State Government’s planned $2.4 billion second M1 between Nerang and Stapleton.

The Palaszczuk Government in the State Budget committed $10 million for the planning of the Coomera Connector with at least $4 million to be provided in the next 12 months.

The Morrison Government will provide $1 million in 2021-22, $5 million in 2022 and $4 million beyond 2022-23.

The State Government’s focus has been on several Pacific Highway upgrades including the 10km section underway between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes at a cost of $65.5 million.

The Varsity to Tugun section has $45 million allocated in 2019-20 for the six-lane upgrade along another further 10kms.

NO ALTERNATE IN SIGHT AS M1 NEARS CAPACITY

Lines of traffic travelling south on the M1 near Exit 49. Picture: Tim Marsden.

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Council in its transport strategy through to 2031 supports a Coomera Connector, but the briefing to councillors shows the green light is being pushed on planning as the highway will impact on local government feeder roads in the fast growing north.

Outside the meeting, Deputy Mayor and northern councillor Donna Gates told the Bulletin: “We’re looking to have the advice from the State regarding the detail of the consultation that will be undertaken. And we’ve been provided with some information which shows to do nothing is simply not an option. Hopefully the officers will continue to work closely with the State to help give some guidance to the delivery of the project.”

CLAIM COOMERA CONNECTOR COULD TAKE DECADES TO BUILD

Gold Coast Woman of the year profile, Gold Coast Deputy Mayor and Councillor Donna Gates. Picture: Jerad Williams

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Councillor Gates said the Main Roads Department would be considering various highway upgrade options and looking at the costings but council had a singular position on a second M1.

“There’s no doubt about council support for this project. It’s a must have for the city. It must be delivered,” she said.

“This was what was explained to us previously, that they would do their costings upgrading the M1 by adding additional lane, and they will compare that with the cost of delivering the Coomera Connector.

“But the officer’s view is we need that secondary north-south corridor. We need the M1 upgrades that are proposed to continue, and we need the Coomera Connector.”

Council planning committee chair Cameron Caldwell had told colleagues the Coomera Connector was a “no-brainer” in terms of future road needs if the city with Brisbane was to bid for an Olympic Games.

Councillors after viewing an officer’s report today supported a recommendation which backed the Coomera Connector to help service population growth in the city’s north.

Councillors have asked the Director of Transport and Infrastructure to investigate the potential impacts of the highway on local roads “in terms of scope and costs”.