Nerang-Murwillumbah Road Safety Improvements

E2M was commissioned to undertake an ecological assessment, including Protected Plants Flora surveys, for the proposed safety remedial works along Nerang-Murwillumbah Road.

Ecological assessments were required as part of the Terms of Reference for the Project, issued by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The proposed safety upgrades comprised 27 work areas across a 36.2 km stretch of the road corridor, from Clagiraba Road to the New South Wales Border. The ecological assessments identified the presence and likely presence of a number of threatened fauna and flora species, including Macadamia spp., scrub turpentine (Rhodamnia rubescens), koala, glossy black cockatoo and tusked frog. In addition to the ecological assessment, E2M was tasked to provide advice regarding the installation of rub rails along section of the corridor and ways to minimise potential impacts to movement corridors for local fauna assemblages.

Outcomes

During the detailed design of the Project, E2M was able to provide recommendations for the installation/removal of rub rails along sections of road to allow fauna crossing opportunities as well as balance the safety requirements for motorists. The works also included the development of an Impact Management Plan for a number of threatened flora species identified in proximity to the proposed works as well suitable methods for translocation and offsets.