Pacific Motorway (M1) upgrade
Overview
Year
Location
Our role
2017 – Current
Nerang to Robina and Varsity Lakes to Tugun, Queensland
- Site investigations
- Flora survey
- Fauna survey
- Vegetation community analysis and mapping
- Targeted surveys for threatened species and ecological communities
- Impact assessment of matters of national environmental significance
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) engaged Planit to upgrade the Pacific Motorway. Planit reviewed environmental factors within the road verges. The reviews were completed in two stages: Nerang to Robina, and Varsity to Tugun. The project involved a review and update of the preliminary environmental assessment and management documents for each stage of the Pacific Motorway upgrade – Nerang to Tugun.
As part of this work, Planit conducted supplementary fauna and flora assessments, and identified the key environmental values. We reviewed the significance of the areas within the road reserve and the Burleigh Heads – Springbrook ecological corridor.
Planit investigated mitigation strategies to reduce and offset impacts during the construction and operational stages.
One of DTMR’s key objectives was to decrease vehicle collisions with fauna and improve the movement of fauna within the Varsity Lakes to Tugun stage. Planit assessed the viability of fauna crossing structures for the Burleigh Heads – Springbrook ecological corridor. We applied strict guidelines for target fauna requirements and construction standards.