M2 next state battlefield

LNP takes funding pledge on M1 further by also committing to alternative

THE second Pacific Motorway is poised to become the next political fight for priority funding.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, in an exclusive report in Saturday’s Bulletin, announced the State Labor Government would fast track cash for the M1.

After years of Bulletin pressure, Labor agreed to a 50-50 funding split for a $2 billion upgrade of the Pacific Motorway, committing $897 million in next month’s State Budget.

Opposition leader Deb Frecklington yesterday confirmed the M1 would be overhauled if the LNP was elected in 2020.

But her promise on infra-

structure spending goes a step further than Labor’s.

“I’m pledging a $1 billion contribution to upgrade the M1 and $250 million to start work on a second M1,” she said. “My plan is above and beyond what the Labor Government has proposed and will deliver infrastructure the Gold Coast needs both now and in the future.

“A four-lane arterial road would act as an alternative to the existing Pacific Motorway and is crucial for the Gold Coast’s future.

“Upgrades address current issues, but a good government doesn’t just keep playing catch-up.

“My plan would fix the existing road and build a second

M1 to get Gold Coast residents home safer and sooner.”

The 36.5km corridor for a second M1 stretches from Stapylton-Jacobs Well Rd at Staplyton to Nerang-Broadbeach Rd in Nerang and would also require $250 million in federal funding.

Ms Frecklington said she would match the Commonwealth’s

funding commitment to bust congestion on the M1 between Varsity Lakes and Tugun, and the Eight Miles Plains to Daisy Hill stretch.

Financials obtained by the Bulletin show the State Government is to do the early heavy lifting on the M1 upgrade with the Federal Government stumping up less than a third of the cost in the next four years. The forward estimates reveal $10 million from the Federal Government in 2018-19, followed up by yearly amounts of $20 million and $35 million, and $90 million in 2021-22.

The Palaszczuk Government will provide almost half of its commitment at the same time ensuring the project can follow on immediately from the current upgrades at the Gateway merge and Mudgeeraba to Varsity.

But the Federal Government is claiming the political high ground after its $1 billion Budget announcement forced the State to consider a 50-50 funding split rather than traditional 80-20 Commonwealth to State grants for major highway upgrades.