SEAT AT A GLANCE

ALL roads lead to gridlock in Mudgeeraba – and the electorate wants the issue addressed at the upcoming state election.

Mudgeeraba is one of the Gold Coast’s safest seats, despite six candidates vying for the position in the election on Saturday.

MP Ros Bates, who has held the seat since 2009, holds a 10.4 per cent margin and is running against Rod Duncan (Greens), Paul Taylor (ALP), Jill Pead (IND), Andrew Liddell (One Nation) and Bill Sherwood (IND).

Residents are concerned about road maintenance, education and infrastructure – but traffic woes loom large as the biggest issue.

Ashley Gleeson, who owns popular cake store Two Little Bakers, said she often received calls from people stuck on the M1 “car park”.

“We do get a lot of calls from customers who are running late because of all the M1 delays,” she said.

“Where we are in Mudgeeraba is right where the road bottlenecks into two lanes.”

The electorate comprises most of the Gold Coast’s rural Held by: Ros Bates (LNP) since 2009

Margin: 10.4 per cent

Previously: Dianne Reilly

Candidates: Ros Bates (LNP), Rod Duncan (Greens), Paul Taylor (ALP), Jill Pead (IND), Andrew Liddell (One Nation), Bill Sherwood (IND)

suburbs including: Clagiraba, Gilston, Worongary, Merrimac, Tallai, Lower Beechmont, Advancetown, Mudgeeraba, Numinbah Valley, Natural Suburbs: Clagiraba, Gilston, Worongary, Merrimac, Tallai, Lower Beechmont, Advancetown, Mudgeeraba, Numinbag Valley, Natural Bridge, Springbrook, Austinville, Bonogin, Reedy Creek Electorate population: 35,448 Bridge, Springbrook, Bonogin and Creek.

Shaun Hall of The Barbers on Swan Lane said the road Austinville, Reedy closure at Springbrook after ex-tropical Cyclone Debbie was causing havoc for residents all over the electorate.

“It can take up to an hour to get up or down from Springbrook,” he said.

Mr Hall said parents were also frustrated by how far they had to drive to get to local schools.

“A lot of people think we really need a school here in the Mudgeeraba area,” he said.

“At the moment kids have to go to Robina or Merrimac, or they get pushed into the private system … it’s quite a drive