Lead environmental advisor for Coomera Connector Stage 1 South

Challenge

The Pacific Motorway (M1) facilitates connection for both commuter and freight traffic between the major economic hubs of Brisbane and the Gold Coast in Queensland. As the primary arterial road, the M1 experiences significant traffic volumes, leading to congestion and travel time delays, particularly during peak commuting hours. With the projected high rates of business and residential growth between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, traffic volumes are expected to further escalate, exacerbating travel delays.

The Coomera Connector is a future 45 km north-south transport corridor, located between Loganholme and Nerang. It is intended that the Coomera Connector will be a key strategic transport link, servicing local trips and reducing pressure and congestion on the M1. Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector will provide an alternative transport route to the M1 for trips between Coomera and Nerang, alleviating traffic pressures throughout this area.

Solution

The proposed alignment of Coomera Connector Stage 1 will intersect environmentally sensitive areas, including major waterways (Nerang River), mapped koala habitat and mapped areas of potential acid sulfate soils. SLR is the lead environmental advisor, supporting the BG&E HDR Joint Venture (BHJV) on behalf of the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) for the southern portion of the Coomera Connector Stage 1 (Smith Street Motorway to Nerang-Broadbeach Road). SLR is providing environmental approvals and specialist environmental services for the preliminary and detailed design phases of the Project. Our key tasks for delivery of the Project include:

• Delivery of technical studies, including:
  • Noise and Vibration
  • Air Quality
  • Terrestrial Ecology
  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Contaminated Land
• Development of TMR standard environmental documentation in accordance with the Environmental Processes Manual, including:
  • Review of Environmental Factors
  • Environmental Management Plan (Planning)
  • Environmental Design Report
  • Input into specification annexures
• Delivery of Project specific Development Approvals

Impact

SLR’s provision of environmental services and approvals guidance has assisted BHJV and TMR in the successful delivery of the preliminary and detailed design for Stage 1 South of the Coomera Connector.

Successful planning, design and construction of all stages of the Coomera Connector will have wide-reaching benefits including connecting the rapidly growing residential communities and commercial hubs of Helensvale and Coomera.