Pacific Motorway (M1) Varsity Lakes to Tugun Upgrade

Project overview

The VL2T upgrade between Varsity Lakes (Exit 85) and Tugun (Exit 95) includes:

• extending all entry and exit ramps between Varsity Lakes (Exit 85) and Tugun (Exit 95), with significant improvements made to:

• Burleigh Heads (Exit 87)
• Tallebudgera (Exit 89)
• Palm Beach (Exit 92)

• widening the Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek bridges
• constructing a new two-way western service road between Palm Beach (Exit 92) and Tallebudgera (Exit 89) and a new bridge over Tallebudgera Creek connecting the new western service road
• additional bike and pedestrian paths to improve active transport connectivity
• installing smart motorway technologies to improve travel time reliability between Nerang and Tugun.

Sustainability

In 2016, the Queensland Government set an objective that all government infrastructure projects over $100M will have a sustainability assessment completed. The Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) is a not-for-profit industry body that has developed an infrastructure-specific sustainability assessment and Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating scheme which has been nominated as an acceptable method to achieve this objective.

The IS rating scheme is a national, third party assurance framework that assesses, evaluates and drives sustainable outcomes across the planning, design, construction and operation of infrastructure and assets. Each VL2T package is targeting a formal IS design rating of ‘Excellent’, contributing to an overall VL2T IS rating of ‘Excellent’ to be followed by an ‘As Built’ rating at the end of construction.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) will develop, implement and uphold effective management systems to achieve the IS rating by considering social, environmental and economic factors and ensuring the VL2T upgrade drives sustainable outcomes.

Environment

TMR is committed to managing its road network and delivering the VL2T upgrade in a manner that supports environmental, social and ecological outcomes through sustainable infrastructure development. As part of this upgrade, the department has undertaken a number of detailed environmental impact assessments conducted by specialist consultants to develop site specific mitigation and management in order to fulfil legislative requirements.

VL2T environmental activities include:

• wildlife surveys to determine habitat values for native fauna including fish species, koala, black flying-fox, and short-beaked echidna
• flora surveys to determine the presence of protected plants and permits required for clearing
• water quality monitoring before, during and after construction
• implementation of erosion and sediment control measures to manage site runoff
• cultural heritage assessments in conjunction with Traditional Owners
• pre-construction assessment of noise and the development of a Noise and Vibration Management Plan.

In order to widen the M1 within the constrained corridor, some vegetation and tree removal will be required and is unavoidable to make way for new infrastructure, underground service relocations, access to existing infrastructure and to improve line of sight for road users. To mitigate this loss, 4.5 hectares of revegetation and tree planting will be carried out within the 10km project alignment and additional native plantings are being considered where space will permit. Approvals are required for disturbing habitats associated with vegetation removal and these are ongoing.

Prior to construction, there are a number of assessments carried out to ensure there is a robust understanding of the environment, ecosystems, wildlife and cultural significance in the project area. At the construction phase, an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is developed and implemented by the contractor. The EMP addresses specific environmental aspects of the project such as the management of native flora and fauna, as well as measures to minimise construction impacts such as noise, dust and vibration. This plan ensures construction contractors working on this project comply with current environmental legislation and industry best-practice.

Fauna protection

Fauna protection measures are being designed and include:

• the construction of a fauna underpass connecting the Burleigh to Springbrook bioregional wildlife corridor
• fauna sensitive road design to benefit invertebrates, such as two threatened butterfly species; the Swordgrass Brown Butterfly and the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly
• fauna exclusion fencing to prevent koalas accessing the M1
• fauna exclusion shields to eliminate the possibility of koalas climbing the universal beams on the noise barriers
• additional barrel and fish passage baffles to improve the fish passage in Reedy Creek.

Cultural Heritage

The VL2T project is committed to working alongside Traditional Owner groups, ensuring there is a duty of care in managing cultural heritage attributes. A Cultural Heritage Risk Assessment has been completed which identified the VL2T upgrade as being high risk to Aboriginal Cultural Heritage under the Duty of Care Guidelines. During this risk assessment, a scar tree was identified in the Burleigh area and TMR has continued to work with Jabree, the local Cultural Heritage Body, to manage the safe removal and return of the artefact to the Traditional Owners.

Landscaping and urban design

The VL2T project team will apply a consistent approach, in accordance with the overarching Urban and Landscape Design Strategy (ULDS), throughout the three works packages. The ULDS strategy provides a framework for consistency and maintains, reinforces and re-establishes the ‘Green Road’ vision taking into consideration design principles and precedents to develop a unified approach across the state-controlled road network.

Active transport

Bike riding and pedestrian provisions are a central feature of the VL2T upgrade and include:

• The installation of a dedicated 3m-wide bike and pedestrian path starting at the new northbound off-ramp at Reedy Creek and continuing to Tallebudgera Interchange at Exit 89.
• The installation of a bike and pedestrian path starting at the Palm Beach Interchange to the northbound off-ramp at Exit 93 (KP McGrath Drive) and continuing as a shared path and on-road bike lane down to Guineas Creek Road.
• Additional active transport facilities along the new two-way western service road between the Tallebudgera and Palm Beach interchanges. All intersections at the interchanges between Exits 85 and 95 will include modifications or enhancements to improve the amenity for both pedestrians and bike riders.

Recommendations

Following the environmental briefing, the VL2T project team is now considering a number of recommendations made by attendees including, but not limited to:

• Additional fauna-proofing measures at Tallebudgera Interchange (Exit 89) extending south to Elanora
• Soft lighting in and around the fauna underpass at Burleigh
• Installing pockets in the walls of the fauna underpass for microbats to nest in
• Engaging locally-based fauna spotter catchers with 24/7 availability
• Designing interpretive signage and a recreational green space along the active transport path.

We will be in touch again in the coming months as project designs progress and more information becomes available.

In the meantime, you can provide your feedback by emailing VL2T@tmr.qld.gov.au or find further information on the VL2T upgrade here: Package A Varsity Lakes to Burleigh, Package B Burleigh to Palm Beach and Package C Palm Beach to Tugun. These web pages will continue to be updated throughout the project lifecycle.