THE timeline in which Gold Coasters are likely to see train stations at Merrimac, Pimpama
and Hope Island continues to be pushed out.
Transport and Main Roads Minister, Mark Bailey MP, announced the project all the way back
in 2017, with little to nothing done since then.
“The Minister for Transport and Main Roads has said we can expect that they’ll be
completed ahead of the Cross River Rail becoming operational,” Ms Bates said.
“Like all promises made by the Palaszczuk Labor Government, this is another that should be
taken with a pinch of salt.
“According to their own projections, Cross River Rail will be finished next year. Do we really
believe that three train stations will be completed by this government in that time as well?
“So far nothing has happened in the six years since the initial big flashy announcement.
Sounds like this government’s modus operandi – make big announcements for the cameras,
but fail to deliver.
“We already know this is set to be another staggering Mark Bailey budget blow-out.
“Last year’s QTRIP (Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program) showed a project
budget of $120 million with the project completed in 2023/24.
“This year the budget increased to $500 million with $145 million to be spent in 2025/26
and 2026/27 and a further expenditure of $47 million beyond that.
“All we’ve had since 2017 is lies and deception from a government with an addiction to
announcements and no plans to back them up.
“Minister Bailey needs to come clean and be honest with Queenslanders and Gold Coasters
about when they can really expect to see this project started, let alone finished,” Ms Bates
said.