YOUR VIEWS

WHEN Campbell Newman won a record 78 seats including every Gold Coast seat for the LNP, your average M1 motorist expected them to deliver with the Commonwealth Games six years away.

Outrageously, no new M1 upgrades were committed to or commenced during the entire LNP term when Tim Nicholls was Treasurer.

They had the only window available to start M1 upgrades early enough to finish them before the Commonwealth Games.

The toothless ten local LNP MPs took the Gold Coast for granted and stranded M1 motorists.

The Palaszczuk Government has invested in two jointly funded major M1 upgrades with early works underway between Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes and at the Gateway Merge, and we’ve completed the Exit 54 upgrade.

This week’s announcement adds a third major upgrade with $206m more on the table to finish a six lane minimum all the way to the border, a $25m Oxenford interchange upgrade and $16m in planning work to prepare for more Gateway Merge upgrades.

In contrast, the Tim Nicholls LNP have not committed new funding, in government or in opposition, to upgrade the existing M1 but have chosen to ignore it in favour of a so-called second M1.

Let’s not forget the preparation for this medium term 36km new corridor from Nerang to Stapylton was stalled by the Newman-Nicholls Government. It was Labor that recommenced work on the IntraRegional Transport Corridor and gazetted the latest section in May.

TMR costings on this new highway are realistic at $2.4b based on a standard $60m/km estimate which is five times more than the puny costing used by Tim Nicholls.

That’s not a calculation error, that’s a funding black hole you can hide a convoy of B Doubles in. The LNP have a fifth of a road that literally goes nowhere.

Senior LNP member Mayor Tom Tate revealed this week Tim Nicholls’ road to nowhere would require a toll to be paid by Gold Coast motorists.

Tim Nicholls needs to come clean with motorists about plans to toll his second M1.

MARK BAILEY MINISTER FOR MAIN ROADS AND ROAD SAFETY WITH all the news regarding very elderly drivers losing control of their cars, I think more older drivers would give up their licenses if, perhaps they could receive maybe, half price taxi vouchers.

The journeys I am sure would only be local, to the shops or medical appointments, nothing too expensive for the local government to cover.

LORRAINE HOGAN, BROADBEACH

WELL a week into the election, not one word on any new jails.

One would think law and order would be on top of all parties’ list with the exception of the Greens.

The lack of room in jails is keeping serious offenders on the street endangering our property and lives. Come on major parties do something constructive – no more false promises.

ROD WATSON, SURFERS PARADISE