PLANNING MUST BEGIN ON NEW ROAD

BEFORE setting out on any journey, it is always wise to plan ahead.

But when it comes to planning for the M1, politicians at both state and federal level seem to prefer to get stuck in a traffic jam before they consider where they are going.

The need for a duplicate road is perfectly obvious to those of us who live here and regularly endure snarl-ups on the motorway.

It was also obvious to the thousands of Brisbanites who found their journey south for the long weekend delayed by M1 traffic on Friday and Saturday.

Yet although the state government in Brisbane has gazetted land for a second M1, reversing the foolish position of the former Newman government, Minister for Main Roads Mark Bailey says construction of the road remains many years away.

Detailed planning of its design has not yet begun.

Gold Coasters are entitled to ask why this is the case.

The Labor government claims the second M1 would cost a massive $2.4 billion, the LNP insists it can be built for a fraction of that total.

Neither can be proved either right or wrong until detailed planning and costings take place.

There is no good reason to delay this vital first step. Clearly, the road cannot be built overnight. But the sooner we start planning, the sooner we will be ready to turn the first sod.

The least that Gold Coasters should expect is that the government in Brisbane put the keys in the ignition and get the process moving.

State Opposition leader Deb Frecklington can do more to help too.

The recent announcement by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of $1 billion in federal money for further upgrades of the M1 certainly got the ball rolling on that front.

The LNP can ask the Prime Minister to repeat the trick by promising to come to the table with funds for a duplicate M1 if the Labor government get to work on a credible proposal.

If Canberra put its weight behind the idea, Brisbane would have even less reason to drag its heels.

At the moment, all we have got it the usual political mud-slinging, when what we really need is action.

The planned upgrades for the M1 are very welcome, but only serve to buy more time as our city grows and demands on the motorway continue to increase.

That time must be spent wisely by planning for the vital next step.

It is hard for locals to understand why that planning is not being undertaken as a matter of urgency.

Studies show clearly that the problems of congestion are only going to get worse in coming years as our city continues to expand.

We need to plan for that future now, not wait for the moment when the problems envelop us.

As every sensible motorist knows, plan ahead, set out early, and you’ll reach your destination in good time.