FEDERALBUDGET2018 Gridlock hits $1b M1 fix
Feds kick in cash but state dispute on funding mix leaves traffic in a jam
THE $1 billion offer by the Federal Government to fix the Pacific Motorway, signed off in today’s federal Budget, might not be taken up for three years – or worse be taken off the table.
For motorists the reality is continuing gridlock, with holiday-makers after midday yesterday confronted with a 30km stretch of the southbound lane from Mudgeeraba where their cars were stalled.
Gold Coast federal MPs have confirmed “we will make the money available when they’re (the State Government) ready to draw on it”.
But a federal LNP source told the Bulletin: “We don’t believe they will look at budgeting for it until 2021.”
Another senior LNP source admitted if the State stalled for too long “the offer could be taken off the table”.
The Bulletin has searched funding announcements on the M1 in the past decade and found, even on short sections between Nerang and Worongary, that road widening can take four years.
The State Government will not agree to a 50-50 split on funding for the latest eightlane upgrade from Brisbane to Tugun, demanding the Federal Government provide the traditional 80 per cent for a national highway.
“If it’s 50-50 it will not happen. If it’s 80 per cent federal and 20 per cent state, it will happen,” a Labor source said.
“It’s not just a money thing. We feel we are being ripped off (by Canberra). And there is not the money to do a 50-50 split.
“(State LNP Leader) Deb Frecklington should be trying to make this happen. If she’ serious about Queenslanders getting the most out of the federal Budget, she should be able to swing it.”
But Ms Frecklington yesterday said Gold Coast residents should not be forced to wait several years for eight lanes on the M1 due to state Labor’s stance on funding.
“The people of the Gold Coast shouldn’t have to wait until 2020 for desperately needed upgrades to the M1 to start,” she said.
“The Turnbull Government has agreed to the billion dollars in funding, Bill Shorten has agreed, the Queensland LNP has committed to match it and the only one that hasn’t come to the party is Annastacia Palaszczuk.
She needs to stop the grandstanding, match the federal funding and get the M1 fixed.”
Two massive M1 upgrades are about to happen, with planning completed on widening the highway between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes and the M1/M3 Gateway merge.
Forde LNP MP Bert Van Manen estimates that con- struction work will take at least two years. He said planning could continue if agreement was reached now on the $2 billion further upgrade.
“By rolling on program after program, it generates savings and effectiveness. You just move (the construction crews) to the next site,” he said.
Stakeholders have put the M1 upgrade and further stages of light rail at the top of their budget wish list.
Acting Mayor Donna Gates told the Bulletin: “The recent Commonwealth Games created a compelling case for us to proceed quickly to the next stage (of the light rail).
“The M1 of course is a national embarrassment because of the loss of productivity as we have vehicles stuck waiting on the M1 to travel anywhere within our city limits.
“I don’t think anyone cares who pays for the upgrade as long as it gets fixed soon.”
Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow supports funding to fix M1 bottlenecks and to develop a business case for the M2 but remains most passionate about light rail.
“We expect there will be light rail funding in the next year or two,” Mr Dow said.
“I think it will be one of the world’s greatest light rail systems. It will get rid of the (traffic) congestion.”