Coomera Connector koalas: Minister Bart Mellish makes pledge

Transport Minister Bart Mellish has made a key pledge on the Coomera Connector as a prominent Brisbane Greens politician calls for ‘direct action resistance’ over the impact on koalas. Full story.

State Transport Minister Bart Mellish has opened the door to taking further measures to protect wildlife impacted by the Coomera Connector.

Speaking on the Gold Coast to mark 12 months since major construction work began on the project, Mr Mellish said he was keen to have “further discussions” around the environmental impact of the project, amid fears that the koala population in Helensvale could be decimated when construction on Stage One Central begins in earnest.

“Coming from an environmental background myself I’m really clear with the department that these aspects need to be properly looked at and properly addressed,” Mr Mellish said.

“That we’re properly addressing habitat fragmentation issues, that we’re properly addressing overall habitat size and type going forward.

“I’ve had some initial discussions with the department. I’m confident that with the offsets and also additional purchases that they’re addressing matters in regard to environmental values so far.

“But that’s not the end of the conversation and I’m really keen to ensure going forward that we’re managing these impacts as much as we can.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish at a Coomera Connector work site in Coomera on Tuesday. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

Mr Mellish’s comments came after high profile Brisbane Greens politician Jonathan Sriranganathan called for “direct action resistance” to protest what he called the “madness” of “ramming a new highway through an ecologically significant conservation area”.

Mr Sriranganathan alleged contractors would start “chopping down trees within two weeks” in preparation for construction work on the section, bordering the Coombabah Lakes Conservation area.

“It’s really messed up,” Mr Sriranganathan said. “If any activists down towards the Gold Coast have capacity to organise or support direct action resistance to protest this madness, please flick me a PM.

“This entire ecologically destructive highway project highlights just how little the Queensland Labor government cares about the environment.”

Jonathan Sriranganathan, Greens candidate for Lord Mayor of Brisbane. Picture: Richard Walker.

Asked about Mr Sriranganathan’s comments, a Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesperson told the Bulletin it had “investigated a range of measures to avoid, minimise and mitigate environmental impacts, particularly in relation to koalas.”

“TMR has completed extensive environmental investigations along the Stage 1 corridor including koala and wildlife surveys to determine habitat values for native fauna, including koalas. The information and data collected from these surveys has been used to determine what measures will be taken to meet legislative requirements and investigate opportunities to enhance important environmental corridors,” the spokersperson said.

Project Director Darren Wagstaff, Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish and project manager Andrew Wheeler inspect progress on the Coomera Connector on Tuesday. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

Mr Mellish said he was determined that his department was “doing the right thing”.

“We’re keen to have further discussions around the environmental impacts of a project that’s as significant as this,” he said.

“We really want to make sure that we’re doing the right things in terms of the transport network, but also doing the right things for the local environment.”

Mr Mellish said work was progressing steadily on Stage One North of the project, from Helensvale Rd through to Coomera, with 80 per cent of piling works on a new bridge over the Coomera Connector now completed. It is expected to open to traffic late next year.

Construction of the Coomera Link Road upgrade (Shipper Dr and Foxwell Rd) is also underway.

“The Gold Coast is booming and as you can see we’re building the transport road infrastructure that the Gold Coast area needs,” he said.

“ … Everyone knows the M1’s congested. The Coomera Connector is the largest road project we’ve got going in Queensland and it’s great to see the project underway on this particular stage.”

Follow @keithjwoods