Roads, rail top funding wish lists

FUNDS for the M1 and the light rail sit at the top of the state budget wish list for Gold Coast Chambers of Commerce from north to south.

In the north of the Gold Coast the state of the roads was on everyone’s lips.

“Infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure – fix up the bloody roads,” Gary Mays, Gold Coast North Chamber of Commerce president, said.

“It is all everyone talks about so we are hoping for more funding for congestion.”

Mr Mays, who runs his own small business, said the growth of the region is felt by every commuter as they struggle through peak hour traffic.

He believes a commitment of funding to the Coomera Connector and further M1 funding in the 2019-2020 state budget is what is needed.

“I left Coomera before seven this morning and arrived at the site in Brisbane just before nine,” Mr Mays said.

“The worst of it was getting out of Foxwell Rd and onto the M1. If we could find a way to get half the traffic off the M1 that would solve a lot of problems.

“The state of the roads is the top of the budget wish list.”

For the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce, the epicentre of the region’s tourism and hospitality, payroll tax was a priority.

“Australia’s and Queensland’s economy is weak and it (payroll tax) is at a tipping

point,” said president Martin Hall said.

“Interest rates are at record lows, GDP growth is slower than any time since the global financial crisis, the property market is falling and household consumption is diving.”

“Queensland needs a massive economic confidence boost and from the small business sector’s position the clear answer is to scrap payroll tax, or at least cut it for smaller businesses.”

Mr Hall said other priorities included the state government finalising the funding with the federal government over the full cost of the light rail Stage 3A and M1.

A commitment to finalising The Spit masterplan also rated a mention, as did a fix for the state’s Buy Local campaign.

“The State Government should follow the example of City of Gold Coast, which is sourcing more than 70 per cent of its purchases from local businesses,” he said.

In the south, infrastructure improvements were again the centrepiece of the wish list.

“Commitment to the light rail going down to Coolangatta and improvements to the M1 are what businesses on the southern Gold Coast want,” Hilary Jacobs, president of the Greater Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce, said.

“We are already seeing the poor roads impact on business every day,” Ms Jacobs said.

“You listen to the radio of a morning, you can bet your bottom dollar there is traffic on the southern Gold Coast and in the afternoon it is the same. The issue is slowing businesses down like you wouldn’t believe.”

Ms Jacobs said she was optimistic a solution could be found, just maybe not in this budget.

“I think the biggest problem is everyone waiting for everyone else to make a move.”