FUNDING IMPASSE A GAME

INFRASTRUCTURE

for productivity-enhancing infrastructure and capital works, estimated to support around 2500 jobs in this region in 2019-20.

HEALTH

for the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service

EDUCATION

to maintain, improve and upgrade schools on the Gold Coast

PACIFIC MOTORWAY (M1)

for upgrades to the Pacific Motorway, including constructing additional lanes between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes, in partnership with the Australian Government

GOLD COAST SPIT

to support the delivery of The Southport Spit masterplan.

THE Palaszczuk Government says it will wait for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to “step up to the plate” before officially committing money to Stage 3A of the light rail.

The tram extension was a stunning omission from yesterday’s State Budget.

A business case has been completed for the link from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads. However, the federal and state governments can not agree on a funding split.

“The issue we have with light rail is in terms of the Federal Government funds for this important infrastructure project,” Treasurer Jackie Trad said yesterday.

“It doesn’t materialise for a number of years and what the government is proposing in terms of the share of the infrastructure funding is not even 20 per cent.

“So they are expecting both council and state to do the heavy lifting when we are already doing heavy lifting in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton. They should step up to the plate.”

The Morrison Government last year committed $112 million to the extension, about 16 per cent of the $709 million total cost. State Government and Gold Coast City Council argue it is not enough.

State Government wants the Feds to tip in an extra $157 million to meet its percentage commitment for Stage 1.