Significant site secured to protect koalas during Queensland’s M1 project

August 3, 2022

Environment /

An additional 400 hectares next to the Pimpama River Conservation Area has been secured by the Queensland Government to protect koalas in the Coomera Connector corridor.

The Coomera Connector (sometimes referred to as the Second M1), is a future state-controlled north-south road 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.

QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Greenridge property at Pimpama, within the Gold Coast's Koala Priority Area, is one of the largest private, and suitable, land holdings close to stage one and future stages.

Premier Palaszczuk notes “the additional 400 hectares is next to the PRCA, creating almost 900 hectares to protect the local koala population and improve their home range and connectivity well into the future.”

QLD Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the Australian and Queensland governments have committed $2.163 billion on a 50:50 basis to plan and build stage one of the Coomera Connector.

"Securing the Pimpama property is a critical step in protecting koala populations along the Coomera Connector corridor,” Minister King said.

"We all know the second M1 is desperately needed and, while there are unavoidable impacts, I am confident all measures will be taken to responsibly deliver this critical infrastructure.

"Federal environmental approvals are expected to set conditions on the Pimpama property that will see it protected for at least the next 20 years. We expect the koala habitat to significantly grow in that time."

The Premier said the Pimpama land will complement another, almost 400-hectare property already secured in Tabooba, south of Beaudesert, where thermal drone and on-ground surveys have shown koalas present.

“Most of that land at Tabooba will be used to offset the environmental impacts of the 16-kilometre stage one of the Coomera Connector (Coomera-Nerang),” she said.

“So a larger part of the Pimpama property can be used to offset future stages.”

Significant funding is included in the Coomera Connector budget to improve the health of koalas in the corridor, including $500,000 to support university research studies and vaccination trials.

A best-practice policy for wildlife spotters and catchers has been developed, and opportunities explored to use salvaged tree forks in veterinary and rehabilitation care.

These, and a range of additional environmental improvements proposed for the Coomera Connector (Stage 1), will be outlined in more detail in the Public Environment Report to be released later this year.

QLD Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said considerable work is being done to ensure the existing PRCA koala population is healthy, and the habitat is viable, before relocation and adds “Koala tagging and tracking is an important tool to help us monitor the health of local populations.

"As part of the project, more than 700 hectares within the stage one corridor has been surveyed to monitor the area’s koala population.

"This has given us a solid understanding of the current conditions, koala numbers, their health and home habitats, and where they roam.

"There are currently 128 koalas in the program, and more than 600 health checks have been carried out.”

For more information on Coomera Connector (Stage 1), visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/coomeraconnector

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16th June 2022 - WildArk and Aussie Ark to rewild a population of koalas on Mongo Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

1st June 2022 - $8.6million to restore and protect key koala habitat in Queensland’s Brigalow Belt

20th May 2022 - Funding offered to eligible private landholders to protect NSW koala habitat

11th April 2022 - NSW Government releases its new Koala Strategy

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8th December 2019 - Queensland Government announces new plans to protect koalas

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