The State Government’s legislated Olympic priority for the Coomera Connector ends at Pimpama, while alleged Cabinet material proposes delaying funding for even that section beyond 2029–30.
The planned Coomera Connector route to Loganholme is absent from Queensland’s legislated list of Games-related transport infrastructure, which gives listed projects access to an expedited state approvals pathway.
Only Stage 2 — about 5km between Coomera and Pimpama — is listed.
That section is entirely on the Gold Coast and ends about 24km short of Loganholme, leaving Logan off the State Government’s legislated priorities list.
Member for Waterford and Shadow Treasurer Shannon Fentiman said leaked Cabinet documents showed funding for Stage 2 had been delayed beyond 2029–30.
“The fastest-growing corridor in Queensland is being left behind by the … government,” Ms Fentiman said.
“David Crisafulli promised Queenslanders his … government would deliver infrastructure on time and on budget.
“But now it appears the Coomera Connector may not reach Loganholme before the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Anyone who uses the M1 during peak hour knows the enormous pressure this corridor is already under.
“The Coomera Connector is meant to provide much-needed additional capacity and a genuine alternative to the M1.
“It is critical infrastructure for one of Queensland’s fastest-growing regions, and our community cannot afford further delays.
“By pushing this vital project further down the road, the … government risks condemning Logan families and commuters to years of worsening congestion.”
An extract from a news report tabled in Parliament by Opposition transport spokesman Bart Mellish reproduces an alleged recommendation to defer Stage 2 funding beyond 2029–30 and reconsider its timing following the 2027–28 Federal Budget.
Mr Mellish told Parliament the information came from Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg’s Cabinet Budget Review Committee documents.
The tabled material is an undated media extract rather than an original Cabinet document.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads did not confirm or deny the alleged deferral, but a spokesperson confirmed the Olympic priority applied to Stage 2.
“Coomera Connector Stage 2 has been identified as the next priority for the new M9 motorway and is an infrastructure priority project for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” the spokesperson said.
“The Queensland Government has funded planning and design for Stage 2, but future delivery requires funding to be committed by the Australian Government, and federal environmental approval with approval timeframes determined by the Australian Government.
“The business case for future stages to Loganholme has been completed and is under review by Infrastructure Australia.”
The government could add further sections to the list, but no amendment or commitment has been announced.
The government’s public 2032 Delivery Plan describes the Coomera Connector as a corridor between Loganholme and Nerang and says major transport projects in planning or delivery will be accelerated.
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg also said in an April 2025 parliamentary response the government was committed to building future stages under the delivery plan.
Federal Member for Forde Rowan Holzberger said the Commonwealth had committed more than $26.5 billion to transport projects across Queensland.
“The Federal Government has committed more than $26.5 billion towards transport infrastructure projects in Queensland, including the Logan Gold Coast Faster Rail Project,” Mr Holzberger said.
“This investment in Queensland is the biggest investment made by the Federal Government in any state in Australia.
“We will continue to work closely with the Queensland Government to deliver projects that are properly planned and represent value for taxpayers and the Queensland community.
“As the project delivery partner, any Queensland Government request for funding for future sections would be considered through the usual Federal Budget processes.”
The former government funded and began Stage 1 and contributed to planning future stages, but did not publicly commit construction funding for the route to Loganholme.
Neither government has committed to taking the Coomera Connector beyond Pimpama before the 2032 Games.
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