A plan for two ramps at a key stretch of motorway is being examined by the federal government over potential environmental impacts.
The Queensland Department of Transport’s proposal to build a pair of south-facing ramps, connecting the Sunshine Motorway and West Coolum Road, is being analysed by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The project is expected to improve traffic flow and provide an important link for residents of beachside suburbs including Coolum Beach, Yaroomba and Mount Coolum.
But an EPA spokesperson said the proposal required a detailed analysis.
“The project was determined to be a controlled action, which means it will need to undergo a full federal environmental assessment.”
“The assessment will look at the project’s potential impacts on nationally protected matters, including Coastal Swamp Sclerophyll Forest of New South Wales and South-East Queensland Threatened Ecological Community – Endangered.”
A referral from TMR, submitted in May, detailed why the 220m ramps were deemed necessary.
“The motorway is a major high-speed coastal arterial link between Mooloolaba and Noosa with limited access that provides the only alternative to the Bruce Highway and David Low Way and is a key route for intra-regional Sunshine Coast trips,” it stated.
“The scale and pace of population growth and development in the Sunshine Coast region will have a significant impact on the future demand for travel and trips, to the extent that demand will significantly exceed the capacity of the Sunshine Motorway and key interchanges, particularly in the northern sections of the motorway.
“The motorway section relevant to the project functions as enabling economic infrastructure for the region by providing direct access to the Sunshine Coast Airport, linking the airport to the region’s emerging city centre at Maroochydore and the nearby Regional Economic Cluster.
“It is also a vital element of South-East Queensland’s freight network, functioning as a secondary freight route and an alternate route to the Bruce Highway during a natural disaster or after a road incident.”
“The key objectives of the project are to: improve safety and increases traffic flow; reduce interchange queuing at existing interchanges; increase capacity and reduce peak hour congestion; improve network efficiency; improve travel time reliability; and contribute to local economy and regional growth Provide better active transport facilities.”
The referral detailed the scope of work for the project, including: an exit ramp for motorists exiting motorway on to West Coolum Road; widening to provide dedicated left and right turn lanes at the intersection with West Coolum Road; and an acceleration lane for southbound motorists entering the motorway.
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It also included: wayfinding signage; a raised traffic island on West Coolum Road; and safety features including new lighting and a raised traffic median to separate opposing traffic on the motorway.
The project would involve utility relocation, site establishment, vegetation clearing, earthworks and embankment construction, drainage and pavement works, fencing and signage, landscaping and rehabilitation of temporary work areas.
The referral acknowledged that the project would need to be assessed.
“The proposed action is considered to be a controlled action due to the likelihood of significant impacts to the Coastal Swamp Sclerophyll Forest TEC, which includes the loss of 2.61ha of the TEC (Threatened Ecological Community).”
It stated that a significant impact on the forest would be likely “as a result of reducing the extent of the community, increasing fragmentation, and/or adversely affecting habitat critical to the survival of the community”.
The referral stated that the project would seek to minimise impacts, including reducing the construction footprint, protecting no-go areas and revegetating affected areas.
Measures would also manage dust, erosion, sediment, weeds, and water flows during construction. If significant impacts remain, an environmental offset could be required for the affected habitat.
The project was expected to complement two other transport proposals in the area, including lane duplication on the stretch of motorway that carries about 31,000 vehicles a day, and the South Coolum Road Link, which would provide clearer access to the motorway and ramps.
The EPA will assess the proposal before the federal environment minister Murray Watt decides whether it can proceed.
