Coomera Connector (Stage 1)
The Stage 1 section of the Coomera Connector between Coomera and Nerang has been identified as the priority section to be built first.
ConstructionCoomera Connector
The Coomera Connector (sometimes referred to as the Second M1), is a future state-controlled north-south transport corridor between Loganholme and Nerang, east of the Pacific Motorway (M1) and the heavy train line.
The new road will be an alternative to the M1, providing more transport capacity to support the rapidly growing residential and business communities in the northern Gold Coast and neighbouring Logan areas.
The complete gazetted corridor extends for 45km between the Logan Motorway and Pacific Motorway interchange in Loganholme and Nerang–Broadbeach Road in Nerang.
The Coomera Connector will be delivered in sections:
- Southern section - Stage 1 between Coomera and Nerang will be delivered in 3 packages:
- Stage 1 North: Shipper Drive, Coomera to Helensvale Road, Helensvale
- Stage 1 Central: Helensvale Road, Helensvale to Smith Street Motorway, Molendinar
- Stage 1 South: Smith Street Motorway, Molendinar to Nerang-Broadbeach Road, Nerang.
- Northern section - future stages between Loganholme and Coomera.
Coomera Connector
Benefits
- Improves safety
- Increases capacity
- Improves network efficiency
- Increases traffic flow
- Reduces peak hour congestion
- Reduces interchange queuing
- Reduces travel time
- Contributes to economy
- Better active transport
Key features
- Relieve pressure on the M1 by providing an alternative route 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.
- Improve safety on the M1 by reducing congestion and potential queuing at interchanges.
- Provide more reliable travel times between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Background
The Coomera Connector (formerly known as the Intra Regional Transport Corridor) will be a key link in an expanded road transport network between Loganholme and the Gold Coast, where residential and business communities are growing rapidly.
Since the 1990s, the corridor has been identified in various public planning documents, such as published street directories, regional transport plans, planning studies and City of Gold Coast planning schemes.
A joint 2015 study between TMR and City of Gold Coast confirmed the corridor as a future strategic transport link that will relieve traffic congestion on the M1 and surrounding local roads.
The Coomera Connector was formally declared a future state-controlled road, confirmed in the Queensland Government Gazette in 3 sections, the:
- Nerang to Coomera section on 18 March 2016
- Coomera to Stapylton section on 12 May 2017
- Stapylton to Loganholme section on 15 March 2019.
Formal confirmation of the corridor in the Queensland Government Gazette allows the corridor to be protected from new development and provides certainty for property owners, business and residential communities on the northern Gold Coast.
Our team continues to liaise with property owners when dealing with land sales and development applications. Early acquisition of properties by TMR may occur in some circumstances.
Community consultation
Initial community consultation on the Coomera Connector was undertaken in late 2019.
The consultation program included a series of 10 community drop-in sessions along the 45km project corridor, plus online engagement activities.
There was significant interest from the community with 3200 visits to the website, more than 2000 people visiting the community drop-in sessions to talk with the project team, and 700 pieces of feedback received.
A telephone survey of 1000 residents and businesses revealed 4 out of 5 people in the project corridor area support the introduction of the Coomera Connector.
Further consultation was carried out in late 2020 and early 2021.
Read more about community consultation for Coomera Connector (Stage 1) and Coomera Connector (Future stages) projects.
24 Projects in Coomera Connector
Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), Smiths Gap, construct southbound overtaking lane and fauna overpass
The department has built a southbound overtaking lane and fauna crossing at Smiths Gap on the Bruce Highway.
Bruce Highway (Innisfail - Cairns), Innisfail Bypass, plan and preserve corridor
The department is progressing a $9 million planning project to plan and protect a suitable road corridor for a future bypass of Innisfail, if required.
Bruce Highway (Innisfail – Cairns) and Munro street (Babinda) intersection upgrade
The department is progressing a project to upgrade the intersection of the Bruce Highway and Munro Street at Babinda.
Bruce Highway (Pine River - Cairns), Road Operations Improvements
This project will provide Intelligent Transport System infrastructure at various locations along the Bruce Highway between Pine River and Cairns.
Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 3), Edmonton to Gordonvale
A total transport solution has been delivered to provide long-term improvements to traffic flow and road safety through reducing congestion, highway travel time and improving road access.
Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 5), Foster Road upgrade intersection
Planning for the Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 5), Foster Road upgrade intersection project will assess and recommend options to upgrade this intersection.
Cairns Bruce Highway Upgrade master plan
The Cairns Bruce Highway Upgrade master plan was released in 2010. It was the result of a planning study that investigated long term, multi-modal transport planning options to address the impacts of urban growth, congestion and traffic accidents.
Cairns Southern Access Cycleway, construct cycleway
The Department is reinvesting project savings to deliver a new off-road cycleway next to the Bruce Highway, consistent with the Cairns Bruce Highway Upgrade Masterplan. The project will deliver a safe off-road facility for bicycle riders of all abilities, including school children and the active transport community. The new cycleway also delivers a direct and continuous route with limited intersections to encourage bicycle riders to use the off-road facility.
Cairns Transit Network
Cairns Transit Network is the first busway planning project of its kind in regional Queensland. It will improve public transport in Cairns by giving buses priority, either in separate bus lanes or on dedicated bus-only lanes (busways) which will be separated from general traffic.
Cairns Transport Study, planning
By 2046, the Cairns local government area is expected to increase by approximately 59,000 residents. In addition to the substantial visitor numbers in the region, this significant residential growth will have an impact on the safety, efficiency and accessibility of the Cairns urban transport network.
Taking a holistic approach to the planning of this expected growth will ensure a sustainable, efficient and accessible transport network in the region.
Cairns Western Arterial Road, Redlynch Connector Road to Captain Cook Highway, duplication
The department is undertaking a $300 million project to duplicate the Cairns Western Arterial Road between Redlynch Connector Road and Captain Cook Highway.
Cairns to Northern Tablelands Access Strategy
The department has completed a comprehensive planning study into the 4 transport corridors linking Cairns to the Northern Tablelands.
Cape York Region Package Stage 2
The Cape York Region Package Stage 2 is a program of works to deliver infrastructure upgrades on the Cape York Peninsula between 2019-2020 and 2023-2024.
Captain Cook Highway, Cairns CBD to Smithfield, Upgrade
Master planning is progressing on the Captain Cook Highway between Cairns CBD and Smithfield.
Coomera Connector (Future stages) Loganholme to Coomera, planning
Planning is underway for the future stages of the Coomera Connector – the remaining 29km between Loganholme and Coomera.
Coomera Connector (Stage 1)
The Stage 1 section of the Coomera Connector between Coomera and Nerang has been identified as the priority section to be built first.
Coomera Connector Stage 1 Central
Coomera Connector (Stage 1) is around 16km long and will be delivered in 3 construction packages. Stage 1 Central, which is currently in the design phase, is the 8km section from Helensvale Road to Smith Street Motorway.
Coomera Connector Stage 1 North
Coomera Connector (Stage 1) is around 16km and will be delivered in 3 construction packages. Stage 1 North, which is currently under construction, is the 4km section from Shipper Drive to Helensvale Road.
Coomera Connector Stage 1 South
Design phase is underway for the Coomera Connector Stage 1 South package from Smith Street Motorway to Nerang-Broadbeach Road.
Gulf Developmental Road (Croydon - Mount Garnet), strengthen and widen pavement
The Gulf Developmental Road is the principal freight and tourism route connecting Carpentaria Shire via the Kennedy Highway, with the Bruce Highway coastal link. The road is sealed, however there are 19 sections spread over 47kms that are only single lane.
Kennedy Highway (Cairns - Mareeba), Barron River bridge upgrade, planning
The Barron River bridge planning project aims to explore long-term, sustainable solutions for the bridge located near Kuranda.
Kennedy Highway (Cairns - Mareeba), Kuranda Range, Intelligent Transport System
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) treatments on Kuranda Range Road have been installed. The Intelligent Transport System treatments will make it quicker and easier to manage incidents and reduce the risk of crashes.
Mareeba – Dimbulah Road, Mareeba Heavy Vehicle Bypass, planning
This project will progress planning for the southern section of the Mareeba Bypass and review the alignment of the northern section.
Yorkeys Knob—boat ramp
We are constructing a new recreational boat launching facility at Yorkeys Knob.