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  • South Coast Region
  • Coomera Connector
  • Pacific Motorway M1 upgrade program
Location
Helensvale Road to Smith Street Motorway
Timing
Construction commenced in late 2024
Status
Construction

Coomera Connector Stage 1 Central

Stage 1 Central of the Coomera Connector is the 8km section from Helensvale Road to Smith Street Motorway.

The Coomera Connector (M9) is a future state-controlled north-south transport corridor between Loganholme and Nerang, east of the Pacific Motorway (M1) and the heavy train line.

Benefits

  • Improves safety
  • Increases capacity
  • Improves network efficiency
  • Increases traffic flow
  • Reduces peak hour congestion
  • Reduces interchange queuing
  • Reduces travel time
  • Contributes to economy

Key features

This 8km section of the project will have:

  • 6 lanes from Helensvale Road (Helensvale) to the Smith Street Motorway (Molendinar)
  • grade-separated interchanges at Gold Coast Highway and Smith Street Motorway
  • more than 8km of walking and bike riding path connecting with local communities and the Helensvale and Parkwood light rail stations
  • wildlife corridors for Careel Reserve and Coombabah Creek
  • open graded asphalt road surface for increased safety and reduced noise.

Funding

The Stage 1 project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments. Investment ID 1776678 (as at QTRIP 2025-26 to 2028-29).

Funding contributions subject to further negotiation with the Australian Government.

Total investment
$3.5 billion
Australian Government
$1.513 billion
Queensland Government
$1.987 billion

Current status

Construction is underway.

Stage 1 Central key milestones

  • January 2023: Early works agreement awarded.
  • April 2023: Design and site investigations started.
  • December 2023: Site preparation works started.
  • January 2024: Enabling works started.
  • March 2024: Design released for public consultation.
  • September 2024: Main construction contract awarded and works underway.

Project map

Coomera Connector Stage 1 Central project map

Download the Coomera Connector Stage 1 Central map booklet - March 2025 for more information.

Last updated: 2 December 2025

Related projects

Coomera Connector Stage 1, Coomera to Nerang

Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector, between Coomera and Nerang, is around 16km and is now open to traffic between Shipper Drive and Helensvale Road.

  • South Coast District
  • Construction
Aerial view of the work being completed on Helensvale Road, Coomera.

Coomera Connector (Future stages) Loganholme to Coomera, planning

Coomera Connector (Future Stages), between Loganholme and Coomera, is around 29km and will connect with Coomera Connector Stage 1.

  • South Coast District
  • Planning
Artist impression of the connection to M1 and Logan Motorway.

Coomera Connector Stage 1 North

Stage 1 North of the Coomera Connector is the 4km section from Shipper Drive to Helensvale Road.

  • Construction
Ariel view of the Coomera Connector highway looking south over Nerang River with paddocks on either side of the highway, residential area across the river with mountain in the background.

Coomera Connector Stage 1 South

Stage 1 South of the Coomera Connector is the 4km section from Smith Street Motorway to Nerang-Broadbeach Road.

  • Construction
Construction site next to Nerang River with train tracks on the right-hand side of the site and building across the river with trees along the river and next to the site.