To ensure the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail (LGC) project is designed and delivered in an environmentally sensitive manner, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has been working with a range of subject matter experts and stakeholders to ensure ecological and environmental management values have been appropriately characterised.

This has helped TMR understand the extent of potential impacts and informing specific mitigation and management measures.

Extensive environmental investigations took place along the project corridor between 2022 and 2024 to determine the type and quality of habitat supporting species protected under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), including koala habitat.

As the project was determined to be a "Controlled Action" at time of referral under the EPBC Act, TMR were required to submit Preliminary Documentation to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) during the assessment phase.

The draft Preliminary Documentation was released for public comment from 12 March to 4 April 2025. Each public comment submission received was formally considered, with minor updates made to the Preliminary Documentation where relevant. Following direction from DCCEEW, the updated Preliminary Documentation and Public Comment Response Document was provided for public viewing from 23 May and 5 June 2025.

On 3 July 2025, DCCEEW granted formal environmental approval to the LGC project, with conditions.

View details of the approval and conditions on the EPBC Public Portal.