Eagleby locals protesting the Coomera Connector are again outraged after learning environmental-impact studies are still underway, despite community consultation ending on 5 December.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is awaiting a green tick of approval from the federal government’s environment department so it can continue on with the future stages of the multi-billion-dollar M9, known as the ‘second M1’, which will track through the Eagleby wetlands.
Some residents, who call themselves the Eagleby Community and Wetlands Group, have protested the project for years, fearing it will tear up and displace native flora and fauna.
TMR recently submitted a proposal to the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for consideration under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
A referral from the DCCEEW will take the Coomera Connector a step closer towards environmental approval, determining how TMR seeks further approval – such as through a Public Environment Report or Environmental Impact Statement.
Community consultation regarding the proposal was open for a ten-day period earlier this month, and closed just as the Eagleby Community and Wetlands Group learned environmental studies were still underway – despite being of the understanding they were already completed.
“We’ve got all these birds that are meant to be protected under the EPBC Act,” group member Robert Livingstone said.
“[TMR] said the environmental studies were already done, but now we know they aren’t.
“The time for us to have our say ended on [5 December] – so they timed it well.”
Locals have for years criticised the project as shrouded in secrecy, and say this only adds to their frustration.
Mr Livingstone said TMR was aiming to “override” the EPBC Act.
When asked if this was the case, TMR didn’t say. However, a spokesperson did say:
“The Queensland Government is committed to working with the community throughout the environmental approval process for proposed future stages of the Coomera Connector, which includes public consultation and feedback.
“Numerous environmental studies have been undertaken by TMR in relation to this proposal and will be ongoing.”
In it’s proposal to the DCCEEW, TMR said the project would see the removal of “native and exotic vegetation, including threatened ecological communities”.
The project would also include “rehabilitation and revegetation along riparian areas and within terrestrial fauna habitat”, along with other crossings, facilities and structures for wildlife.
Mr Livingstone said the Eagleby group knew they were fighting a losing battle, but had a responsibility to “have a crack”.
“We are fighting for the critters in the wetlands,” he said.
“We know how special this place is and they just want to destroy it.”
