The public can now have a say on a planned road project that would connect communities to a motorway, before federal authorities determine whether it requires environmental assessment and approval.
Locals can comment on an Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation referral for the Suncoast Beach Drive and South Coolum Road Extensions proposal until October 16.
The National Environmental Protection Agency will decide by the end of the month whether the project requires further analysis.
The Sunshine Coast Council plan includes a 1.2km road between South Coolum Road and West Coolum Road and a 400m extension of Suncoast Beach Drive to join West Coolum Road at Mount Coolum.
They would connect to the Department of Transport and Main Roads’ planned motorway interchange that would have two south-facing ramps.
The referral, submitted on behalf of the council, outlined the project’s importance.
“The scale and pace of population growth and development in the Sunshine Coast region is having a significant impact on traffic through Coolum Beach, Mount Coolum and Mudjimba,” it stated.
“The project provides transport connections to the TMR project and significantly improves network operations by allowing users to access the Sunshine Motorway at an alternative location to the heavily congested Sunshine Motorway and Yandina Coolum Road roundabout.”
It also stated that the project would reduce traffic volume on David Low Way by about 9000 vehicles a day.
The referral said the project was expected to start in October and finish in early 2030 and it had been brought forward to align with the planned TMR interchange.
The paperwork also detailed the scope of works across a project area and disturbance footprint of 9.41ha.
“Proposed activities that may directly or indirectly impact on the environment include vegetation clearing, earthworks, topsoil handling and stockpiling, use and storage of hazardous materials, and general construction activities that may cause increased dust, light, noise and vibration.”
TMR’S nearby interchange proposal is already being examined by the federal government.
The referral stated that the road link project could also have significant environmental impacts.
“The proposed action is potentially a controlled action due to the project’s contribution to the likelihood of significant cumulative impacts on the Coastal Swamp Sclerophyll Forest (CSSF) TEC (Threatened Ecological Community),” it said.
The referral identified potential direct and indirect impacts on up to 1.62ha of the threatened ecological community. Combined with the 2.61ha affected by the interchange project, the maximum combined impact could reach 4.23ha.
Both projects affect the northern edge of a 37ha wetland area.
The referral stated that the project was designed to minimise environmental impacts, including through route selection, drainage structures to maintain natural water and groundwater flows, weed management and rehabilitation of disturbed areas.
It stated that further hydrology and water quality studies would inform detailed design and management measures, while environmental offsets could be required for any significant residual impacts to Coastal Swamp Sclerophyll Forest.
A NEPA spokesperson said the agency received a referral under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) for the project on September 22.
“The referral is currently published for public comment until October 16. A determination on whether the project requires approval under the EPBC Act is due to be made by October 30.”
