Environmental approvals

Environmental approvals are being progressed with the federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment currently assessing Stage 1 of the project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC). The EPBC referral includes results of more than 18 months of terrestrial and aquatic ecological surveys in the Coomera Connector corridor.

On 14 August 2020, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment determined Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector would be a controlled action and the assessment approach would be by public environment report.

For further information, visit the EPBC referrals page on the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website.

Koala movement pathway monitoring

Recognising the significance of koala populations in the northern Gold Coast, we engaged Professor Darryl Jones and the team from Griffith University to undertake monitoring of koala movement pathways near Coombabah Creek at Helensvale.

Cameras, spotlighting surveys and scat sampling were used to detect all vertebrate species larger than a squirrel glider. A broad range of species were detected confirming the area as a key regional biodiversity corridor, including the Eastern Grey kangaroo, Swamp and Red-necked wallabies, common brushtail possums, squirrel gliders, reptiles, amphibians, birds and microbats.

Recommendations from the study will feed into the reference design for Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector including the provision of structures to provide dry and safe walkways for koalas to cross under transport infrastructure in times of heavy rain when water can inundate the area.

To minimise potential vehicle strike risk of animals such as the Eastern grey kangaroo, Griffith University has recommended that appropriate exclusion fencing and escape ramps be included in the design of the Coomera Connector near Coombabah Creek.

Griffith University's early recommendations are currently being backed up by additional field work to align with the peak koala dispersal period.

Koala management plan

As part of the extensive planning for the Coomera Connector project, we are working in partnership with koala conservation specialists and community environmental stakeholders to develop a koala management plan and environmental management plans to manage impacts on wildlife habitat in and around the project corridor. This includes extensive wildlife surveys to confirm existing wildlife movement corridors and the inclusion of wildlife movement structures and exclusion fencing in the design. To ensure that impacts to habitat are addressed, the plan will also include the acquisition and rehabilitation of additional land in the local area to support local wildlife populations and to replace areas of habitat lost for the Coomera Connector.

Land acquisition

All property owners directly impacted by the gazettal of the corridor were advised during the planning stage. 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.