Major infrastructure projects in serious doubt in election aftermath

LABOR’S shock election win could spell the end for several big-ticket projects and thousands of potential jobs on the Gold Coast.

LNP

THE Gold Coast is in shock with political and community leaders speculating that thousands of jobs under key infrastructure projects promised by the LNP Government will be lost to the city if Labor forms government.

Only Michael Riordan, in a knife-edge battle in Gaven, looks to be any chance of giving the ALP representation on the Coast — with the nine local LNP MPs set to be returned to Parliament.

ELECTION: OUR JOHN-PAUL LANGBROEK IS THE MAN FOR THE JOB

Feeling Blue.....the Gold Coast has retained all of its LNP Members, including from left to right, John-Paul Langbroek, Ros Bates, Michael Crandon, Jan Stuckey,Michael Hart, Verity Barton, Rob Molhoek. Picture Glenn Hampson

But those LNP members including former education minister John-Paul Langbroek and Commonwealth Games minister Jann Stuckey could be sitting on the Opposition benches with no political favours expected from Labor for the city.

Mr Langbroek yesterday welcomed support from his colleagues for backing him as the new LNP leader, which could give the Gold Coast a stronger voice in Brisbane if it becomes a reality.

As the final outcome of the election remained in the balance, Labor leader Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday remained confident the ALP would win government but gave few clues about the future for the Coast as she spent the afternoon at a Burpengary barbecue.

An ALP spokesman said Ms Palaszczuk had already outlined a position on key issues for the Gold Coast and was unwilling to discuss them further.

Updated artists impressions of ASF consortiums plans for the Wavebreak Island cruiseship terminal - which could be scrapped now Labor is in power.

“It’s putting the horse before the cart. Right now we are just waiting for more results to come in, and no one is sure what will happen,” the spokesman said.

The Bulletin staged a Gimme Five campaign during the election campaign which sought a clear position from the political parties on the cruise ship terminal, plus funding for the light rail extension and work on congested Exit 54. It also called for the continuation of tough bikie laws and changes to Commonwealth Games planning.

Labor on key issues said:

● It opposed the development of a cruise ship terminal on the Broadwater and categorically ruled out Wavebreak Island as an alternative location for any future development.

● Could not make any funding promises on Exit 54.

● Promised a more central role for the Coast in planning the Commonwealth Games.

● Would leave bikie laws intact until the end of the year when a special taskforce could kickstart a review.

● Refused to speculate on the best route for stage two of light rail because it had not seen the studies commissioned by the Newman Government.

● Vowed to continue to pressure Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens to release details of discussions with the Integrity Commission about his cableway project and toughen up laws about commercial projects in national parks.

Senior LNP figures told the Bulletin that a Labor government would spell “the end of the Wavebreak Island cruise ship terminal and jobs” along with the promise of delivery of light rail stage two before the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“The Exit 54 upgrade at Coomera needed the Newman Government to get in. Annastacia Palaszczuk only came down here once during the election campaign. We are in the wilderness,” one LNP source said.

Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek said there was no doubt the ALP would stop the cruise ship terminal plan if it was elected into government — despite the fact many people here supported the development.

“They have been quite clear on their position,” he said.

Mr Stevens told the Bulletin: “Unfortunately I am sure the projects mooted for the Gold Coast will evaporate under a Labor government and those responsible should hang their heads in shame.

“There were a lot of positives promised by the LNP for the Gold Coast and should an LNP government have been returned the Gold Coast would have been a great beneficiary

“We are a close-knit group … and it is important we work together to protect the Gold Coast’s interests as best we can.”

A community leader predicted the Coast would lose its Rapid Action Patrol Group which had led to the crackdown on bikies. “The bikie laws will be reviewed. There will be no funding. We will become the Tasmania of Queensland.”

A Gold Coast City councillor, also in shock, said: “We expected the state would give the Government a touch-up, but nothing like this.

“We now need clarity from Labor on the Broadwater Marine Project.”