INLAND TRAM PLAN
State Govt, Feds spend less on our roads as GC grows
A LEADING Gold Coast business lobby group has called on the State Government to dramatically increase its funding for transport infrastructure so the city can cope with a postCOVID population boom.
More than $808 million will be spent on Gold Coast transport projects in the next three years, Transport and Main Roads data reveals.
The bulk of the funding will go towards the widening of the M1 between Varsity Lakes and Tugun and the extension of the light rail from Broadbeach to Burleigh.
But the amount to be spent on state roads will fall by $500,000 this financial year
Gold Coast North Chamber of Commerce president Martin Brady said the city’s arterial road network was in desperate need of upgrade to ease the levels of congestion already experienced as well as cater for future growth.
He said it was an economic necessity which would pay long-term dividends
“We have had a long lag in terms of significant investment in transport infrastructure in this city which we are only in recent years starting to catch up with,” he said.
“The outcome of this has been the strong congestion issues with the M1 which have only gotten worse.
“With COVID, I think you will see the population growth increase significantly as more people choose to come here and can work from home.
“Many people will feel it is better to live here and work from home than the capitals of Sydney, Melbourne or even Brisbane, so we need to get the infrastructure right.”
More than $600,000 is being spent planning the long-in-the-works extension of the heavy rail from Varsity Lakes to Gold Coast Airport.
No time frame has been given for the project but its high cost means it is unlikely to be built until after the light rail’s airport link is completed in the mid-2020s.
It will require federal funding.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the Gold Coast’s transport network was receiving significant funding which would have a longterm economic impact by reducing congestion.
“The Gold Coast is the state’s second-largest city and its population is growing strongly,” he said.
“The investment in light rail, heavy rail and the M1 upgrades are so that people can continue to move well into the future while accommodating the population growth.
“There must be a co-ordinated approach to roads, light rial and heavily rail and it is absolutely essential to get it right.”
Mr Bailey took a shot at the LNP, which he said had delivered “not a single cent” of new road funding during the Newman Government era.
WITH COVID, I THINK YOU WILL SEE THE POPULATION GROWTH INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY AS MORE PEOPLE CHOOSE TO COME HERE AND CAN WORK FROM HOME.
MARTIN BRADY
But Mayor Tom Tate said he was happy with the “record” levels of funding the Coast’s transport network was receiving from the state.
“I’ve welcomed multiple announcements from the State Government relating to transport and infrastructure including Coomera Connector, widening of the M1 and Light rail Stages 3 and 4,” he said.
“I don’t want to be the greedy kid in the corner asking – ‘please ma’am may I have some more’ when my bowl has just been served.”
A business case on the $2.4 billion Coomera Connector is being developed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and is expected be finalised next year.
No funding has been set aside for the project.
The Coomera Connector will be a six-lane, 45km arterial road to run from Nerang to Logan.