Southern Gold Coast State MPs have applauded local Federal Member, Karen Andrews MP and the Turnbull Government’s announcement yesterday delivering $110 million funding to upgrade the M1 between Exits 82 and 85.
“That commuters spend the equivalent of four days a year in traffic is not on and I congratulate Karen in delivering this commitment from the Federal Government,” said Member for Burleigh, Michael Hart MP.
Recent Transport and Main Road figures reveal commuters are spending an extra two hours a week more in traffic now than in 2015 yet the Palaszczuk Labor Government left funding an upgrade out of last week’s Budget, indicating once again, Gold Coasters are not a priority to them.
“Pleas from residents, LNP local Members and even the media to resolve the daily backup of traffic from Mudgeeraba to Palm Beach have fallen on deaf ears,” said Mr Hart.
“The Turnbull Government yesterday put their money where their mouth is but you have the State Government announcing its still not good enough and no work will progress until its 80:20.
“Instead of jumping at a solid offer to benefit Gold Coasters, they play politics and conveniently forget it is their incompetence in managing State Infrastructure and their past failures of forgetting to ask for Federal funding that has held back progress.”
“The Federal Government has put up their fair share of funding to upgrade the M1 from Robina to Reedy Creek, and it’s time for this asleep at the wheel Labor Government to do the same,” said Member for Mudgeeraba, Ros Bates MP.
“For 18 months, this do-nothing Labor Government has been holding up the next M1 upgrade – forgetting to ask for funding, forgetting to include this upgrade in the so-called State Infrastructure Plan, bumbling and fumbling around the funding history, and refusing to allocate any funding in two State Budgets.
“This is a shovel-ready project with Federal funding ready to go. This Labor Government needs to stop playing politics and deliver the $110 million we need to upgrade the M1 now.”
Member for Currumbin, Jann Stuckey MP said, “We desperately need the M1 upgrades to Tugun and should not have to beg when gridlock is a worsening daily occurrence.”
“It is a real slap in the face when the minister hasn’t even bothered to put forward a business case for M1 extension to the southern Gold Coast.”
Shadow Transport and Main Roads Minister, Andrew Powell MP said it was encouraging to see some action on the M1 from the Federal Coalition while the Palaszczuk Labor Government were asleep at the wheel.
“Only the LNP have the track record to deliver infrastructure for the Gold Coast,” Mr Powell said.
“It was the LNP state team who funded congestion busting projects across the Gold Coast and the Coalition have come to the table to upgrade the M1.
“The LNP was able to get a fair deal for Queensland taxpayers, delivering a comprehensive infrastructure plan with the federal government to upgrade the Bruce Highway, Gateway Motorway and Warrego Highway.
“I’m glad we’re one step closer to getting the roads Gold Coasters deserve.”