MOTORWAY TALKS NEAR
Canberra leads way with $1b in funding on table
THE state and federal governments are expected to begin talks next week to find a solution to the M1 congestion crisis.
A high-powered State Government source last night said both parties would get together to “sort through the detail”.
THE state and federal governments are expected to begin talks next week to find a solution to the M1 congestion crisis.
A high-powered State Government source last night said both parties would get together to “sort through the detail”.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk have so far refused to meet the federal offer for both governments to commit $1 billion each to widen the state’s busiest road at crucial bottlenecks.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull unveiled a plan to upgrade the M1 from four lanes to six between Varisty Lakes and Tugun and from six lanes to eight lanes on the Brisbane stretch between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill.
He also proposed a new northbound off-ramp connecting with Southport-Burleigh Road.
Mr Turnbull said he would guarantee his government’s $1 billion in next month’s Federal Budget if Premier Palaszczuk agreed to the deal.
However, the State Government believes the funding split should be 80-20 as in line with federal-aligned roads. Labor has already pledged to spend $200 million on M1 upgrades south of Varisty Lakes.
Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten dodged the issue when pressed whether he thought State Labor should embrace Mr Turnbull’s $1 billion offer while the money was there.
The Bulletin asked Mr Shorten yesterday if he was prepared to match the Turnbull Government’s commitment to upgrade the M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Mr Shorten was also asked whether he believed the State Government should contribute $1 billion under a 50-50 funding split, or did he stick to the 80-20 demand that has halted the project. Mr Shorten declined to respond, preferring that the office of Gold Coastbased senator Murray Watt deal with it.
Senator Watt said: “Federal Labor will always support extra investment in the M1, particularly after years and years of neglect of the Gold Coast by the Turnbull Government.
“Indeed, when last in office we invested half a billion dollars upgrading key sections and interchanges.
“This was in addition to funding construction of the light rail and the redevelopment of Carrara Stadium. Accordingly, we welcome this week’s belated announcement.”
Federal Trade and Tourism Minister Steve Ciobo believes Gold Coast residents are about to be short-changed by Labor, saying it is fixated on the funding ratio rather than outcomes for the congested highway.
The Moncrieff MP suspected State Labor would offer only 20 per cent of funding, bringing the total budget for the M1 back to $1.25 billion.
“If they match it dollar for dollar, then the total budget package is $2 billion,” Mr Ciobo said yesterday.