Frequently asked questions
FAQ
General
- What is the Coomera Connector?
- What is the Intra Regional Transport Corridor?
- Why do we need the Coomera Connector?
- What are the benefits of the Coomera Connector?
- Will the Coomera Connector be 6 lanes?
Staging and timeframes
- How will the Coomera Connector be staged?
- What are the timeframes for Stage 1 (Coomera to Nerang)?
- What are the timeframes for the northern section between Loganholme and Coomera?
- When will the Stage 1 business case be finalised and approved?
Community Reference Group
FAQ
General
- What is the Coomera Connector?
The Coomera Connector corridor is a future 45 kilometre north-south road link between Loganholme and Nerang, located to the east of the Pacific Motorway (M1).
The gazetted Coomera Connector corridor includes provision for a local road connection from the Coomera Connector at Eagleby to the intersection of Beenleigh–Redland Bay Road and Mount Cotton Road, Carbrook.
The Coomera Connector will provide an alternate transport corridor to the M1 that will support the rapidly growing residential and business communities in the northern Gold Coast and Logan areas. The corridor is wide enough for up to six traffic lanes and will include a shared path for walking and bike riding.
- What is the Intra Regional Transport Corridor?
The Intra Regional Transport Corridor is the previous name for the Coomera Connector. The preserved corridor between Stapylton and Nerang was formally known as the Intra Regional Transport Corridor in the Queensland Government Gazette.
The entire corridor from Loganholme to Nerang was formally re-named as the Coomera Connector as part of the gazettal process of the northern section of the Coomera Connector corridor from Loganholme to Stapylton on 15 March 2019.
- Why do we need the Coomera Connector?
Residential and business communities are growing rapidly in the northern Gold Coast area with an additional 600,000 people anticipated to live in the Gold Coast and Logan by 2041.
Without intervention, increasing demand on the M1 (particularly for local trips) may jeopardise its performance as part of the national land transport network (the main route used for interstate travel and to carry freight).
Traffic analysis from early 2019 identified more than 210,000 vehicles routinely use the M1 on the busiest days between Coomera and Nerang. Based on these traffic volumes, a solution to deliver extra transport capacity in the area between Coomera and Nerang needs to be prioritised.
The Coomera Connector will help to protect the function of the M1 and preserve its ability to service freight and inter-regional travel. It will also improve access, connectivity and liveability of local communities by providing transport infrastructure that supports and services future economic and residential growth.
- What are the benefits of the Coomera Connector?
The project will:
- relieve pressure on the M1 by providing more route choices for local traffic and additional crossings of the Logan, Albert, Coomera and Nerang Rivers
- provide improved connections and accessibility to more transport options on the northern Gold Coast
- improve travel time between Brisbane and the Gold Coast by reducing the number of local trips on the M1
- increase safety on the M1 by reducing congestion and potential queuing at interchanges
- provide more reliable travel times between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
- Will the Coomera Connector be 6 lanes?
While the Coomera Connector corridor is wide enough for 6 lanes, predicted traffic volumes will inform the number of lanes that need to be included in the reference design.
Staging and timeframes
- How will the Coomera Connector be staged?
Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector between Coomera and Nerang has been identified as the priority section that needs to be built first.
The northern section of the Coomera Connector between Loganholme and Coomera will considered as future stages. Timeframes for progression of the future stages have not yet been identified.
- What are the timeframes for Stage 1 (Coomera to Nerang)?
TMR is currently developing a reference design and business case for Stage 1 between Coomera and Nerang, for consideration by government by mid-2021.
A funding commitment is required before the Stage 1 project can proceed to detailed design and construction.
- What are the timeframes for the northern section between Loganholme and Coomera?
The northern section of the Coomera Connector between Loganholme and Coomera will considered as future stages. Timeframes for progression of the future stages have not yet been identified.
- When will the Stage 1 business case be finalised and approved?
TMR is developing the business case for government consideration in mid-2021.
Approval of the Stage 1 business case could occur from mid-2021.
Community Reference Group
- How were members of the Community Reference Group selected?
The Community Reference Group is limited to a maximum of 20 members. The group consists of residents who live close to the project corridor, plus environmental and business stakeholders who have previously engaged constructively with the TMR Coomera Connector project team.
Related projects
- What is happening with the future Helensvale North station?
As part of Cross River Rail, the Delivery Authority is building three new stations along the Gold Coast line to help connect South East Queensland’s growing population.
Detailed designs are currently being developed for the future Helensvale North station and consultation will be undertaken with residents and key stakeholders.
For more information please visit crossriverrail.qld.gov.au or phone 1800 010 875.