CITY TO HOLD LNP TO VOW

LABOR’S insulting proposal for relieving M1 congestion has surely put the LNP in the box seat for its shot at grabbing government in a close election.

Voters might be somewhat sceptical however at LNP leader Tim Nicholls’ claim his side can build a second motorway for $500 million, shared evenly between state and federal governments. An RACQ spokesman has said that sort of expenditure “sounds light’’ for what is required.

Mr Nicholls must have driven a hard bargain in pinning down that cost for the 36km route his side is proposing. It would be interesting to see the modelling. Cynics will wonder whether motorists could end up driving along a gravel road.

The LNP does not have a glittering record with this. It was their side after all that dumped the intra-regional transport corridor. But on balance, the LNP has offered what the Gold Coast needs – a second motorway – through its $500 million pledge to the tens of thousands of commuters who use the M1 each day and the people who live in electorates that are directly affected by frequent traffic jams.

We – the Bulletin and all of the Gold Coast – will hold Mr Nicholls and the LNP to their promise if they win government. There can be no backing away or blaming a blowout in costs, or a claim that it was a long-term plan over the next decade or so.

This issue is far too important for hollow promises. Shovels must be hitting the dirt within months if a Nicholls government is elected. There can be no mucking around with feasibility studies and delays for another term, otherwise the M1 will be a car park. Our city’s economy and the quality of family life for commuters depend on a proper, fast solution.