LITTLE LIGHT ON
Rail funding stoush intensifies: ‘Feds, you’re $157m short’
THE State Transport Minister has dropped a bombshell by revealing the Federal Government is $157.5 million short in its pledge to help fund the next stage of the light rail.
Mark Bailey told the Bulletin that the State Government pushed through Stage 2 to Helensvale ahead of the Commonwealth Games, but the “one-off intervention” was not sustainable.
It comes as a State MP declared it wasn’t the Feds’ responsibility to fund the infrastructure.
FEDERAL Labor has announced more than $32 million will be spent on major upgrades to stop traffic congestion on a horror Pacific Motorway offramp and improve car parking at railway stations.
The announcements follow Bulletin reports highlighting safety concerns, with commuters being fined for parking on grassed non-lit areas at northern Gold Coast stations and fears about being stranded on the M1 and waiting in long queues of cars and trucks to get on exit ramps.
The transport package will be critical in the marginal seat of Forde where the LNP’s Bert van Manen has a margin of only 0.9 per cent. Labor must secure it to win government.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten’s campaign team has announced:
An upgrade of M1 Exit 45 at Ormeau, to alleviate queueing on to the M1 and cater for future growth in the region. Labor says the LNP has yet to commit.
Expansion of the Ormeau station car park (extra 120 spaces), to cost of $2.2 million. No commitment from the LNP.
Relocation of Loganlea train station. Yet to be matched by LNP.
Expansion of Beenleigh station car park (extra 400 spaces), to cost $15 million. Matches LNP commitment.
Expansion of Coomera station car park (extra 400 spaces), to cost $15 million. Matches LNP commitment.
The funding will be a 50-50 split with the state. Both governments would finalise a construction schedule with the money locked in at the first budget.
Labor candidate for Forde Des Hardman said the announcements were “great news for the northern Gold Coast” where commuters faced daily gridlock and overcrowding at stations.
“I know how frustrating it has been for Gold Coasters who are stuck on the M1, or can’t find a car park at their local railway station,” he said. “I have been out at Coomera and Ormeau stations just this week, talking with commuters about their frustrations of not being able to find a car park.
“That’s why I have personally lobbied Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese for this funding and I’m really grateful they have come through for us.
“Apart from saving Gold Coasters travel time, these are important safety announcements. It’s simply unsafe to have cars backed up trying to exit the M1 and the new upgrade will reduce that safety risk.’’
Gold Coast-based Labor senator Murray Watt congratulated Mr Hardman, saying it was a “remarkable job” to secure the large funding commitments for the northern Gold Coast.
“If this is what he can do as a candidate, I can hardly wait to see what he will achieve if he is elected as the Member for Forde,” Sen Watt said.
“Today’s announcements build on our existing Gold Coast commitments, including widening the M1, upgrading Exits 41 and 49, contributing $112 million for Stage 3A of the light rail and of course, building
Cross River Rail (in Brisbane), which will allow for Gold Coast-Brisbane train services every five minutes during peak hour.
“These announcements top what the LNP is offering for transport on the Gold Coast. It’s not surprising, when you consider how little they have done for the six years they have been in office.”