Mudgy in the middle

Suburb stuck at centre of Coast traffic nightmare

for people living further in the hinterland.

“I’ve also spoken to a chef in the area recently who said he couldn’t get any chefs to come work here because we’re on the other side of the highway.”

Political analyst Dr Paul Williams said he would be surprised if Ms Bates didn’t maintain her seat. But Dr Williams said “micro-issues” including Springbrook road closures could play a role in how people vote.

“You can’t underestimate micro-issues at the local level,” he said. “You have to engage people at the grassroots level ... you have to promise a better quality of life but also promise to fix the roads.”