Neighbouring Labor MPs at war over controversial road link

A Labor minister has sparked a war with his fellow party MP in a neighbouring electorate over a divisive road project.

Agriculture Minister and Member for Ferny Grove Mark Furner

Labor’s Agriculture Minister has been slapped down by the party for launching a political war with his marginal-seat colleague over a controversial road project linking their two electorates.

The long-mooted push to link Upper Kedron’s Cedar Woods estate to Mt Nebo and Waterworks Rd was supported by Agriculture Minister and Member for Ferny Grove Mark Furner before the election.

However his Labor colleague next door, first-term Member for Cooper Jonty Bush, is a fierce critic of the project, arguing it will increase traffic on Waterworks Rd which runs through the spine of her electorate.

Incensed by Mr Furner’s support – now matched by his LNP opponent in Ferny Grove – Ms Bush successfully sought assurances from Planning Minister Meaghan Scanlon that the government would not support the road.

Mr Furner in July launched a petition calling for parliament to do all within its power to ensure the Brisbane City Council facilitate the road development.

It is understood Mr Furner launched it without consulting the government, and has not answered Ms Bush’s calls in recent weeks.

While Ms Bush declined to comment on being at odds with Mr Furner, she noted the road would not be built if the government was re-elected.

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“Labor has a long history of opposing a sealed road from Upper Kedron into The Gap for good reason,” she said.

“This road would open up Mt Nebo and Waterworks Road to thousands of additional cars, making it less safe and ramming a sealed road through a wildlife corridor.

“A Labor government will not let this happen.’’

Ms Bush is fighting to survive a Greens onslaught in her electorate, while Mr Furner’s seat is safer with a margin of 11 per cent over the LNP.

Mr Furner did not respond to a request for comment.

Member for Cooper Jonty Bush

On October 4 he took to social media to slam his LNP opponent Nelson Savanh’s support to build the road.

“It’s time to stop the lies,” Mr Furner said.

“The LNP candidate for Ferny Grove says he will work with the LNP councillor for The Gap to build a full-access road to Mount Nebo from Upper Kedron.

“The LNP councillor is the one who opposed residents’ wishes and blocked the road in the first place.

“I have supported building a full access road from day one.

“The LNP council couldn’t even fill in an application to open a bridge.

“You can’t trust them to run a bath.’’

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie seized on the differing opinions between Ms Bush and Mr Furner.

“You’ve got two members, a minister and Jonty Bush, fighting over a road in Ferny Grove and Cooper in the middle of an election campaign... the infighting that’s happening now, imagine if they get elected and are in coalition with the Greens,” he said.