Gold Coast council tipped to spend up to an extra $34m on transport in next budget

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says council will deliver a record investment in transport for the 2019-2020 financial year, with a suite of projects being considered.

GOLD Coast Mayor Tom Tate says council will deliver a record investment in transport for the 2019-2020 financial year, with a suite of projects being considered.

The Bulletin has been told by council insiders that the current budget, which has about $116 million for capital works allocated for transport, could be increased to as much as $150 million.

A report in The Bulletin today revealed the push is on from a number of councillors to get an immediate $36 million injection to target the worst road bottlenecks.

Mayor Tom Tate with the 2016-17 budget. Photo: David Clark.

Reporting in this newspaper as part of a campaign focused on traffic congestion in the past months detailed how residents were taking 23 minutes to crawl 150m at peak on gridlocked arterial roads linked to the M1.

Some councillors believe a transport budget of $130 million would be a good start, but hinterland-based councillor Glenn Tozer suggests $160-170 million could get council’s transport strategy back on track.

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Councillor Glenn Tozer is seeking an immediate $36 million boost to road funding. Photograph: Jason O'Brien.

The Mayor, as chair of the budget, will receive a briefing on proposed projects on Monday.

“Media reports that we need a further $36 million invested in our roads is well undercooked,” he said.

“We will be spending a lot more than that. I don’t have a final figure yet as we need to go through the special budget meetings — with all councillors — but I can confirm it will be a record spend in 2019-2020.’’

Councillor Tate said councillors did not need to “lobby’’ for additional spending. He suggested “they only need to pick up the phone”.

M1 traffic congestion near Coomera. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT.

“I meet with any councillor to discuss funding requests, not only on roads, but any issue. That has been the case for seven years and in those seven years we have delivered record low rate increases,” he said.

“Any councillor proposing a $36 million increase in our 2019-2020 roads budget is actually suggesting a decrease as the draft budget will be proposing substantially more funds for all transport projects.”

The Mayor said the recent citywide annual budget survey conducted by council attracted around 2000 responses. Most focused on roads, traffic and public transport.

Congestion at on and off ramps at Pimpama from the M1. Photo by Richard Gosling

“These are the voices of residents and I listen to their opinions, as well as councillors,’’ he said.

“We will continue to invest in smart traffic solutions — creating slipways, widening roads where needed, improved roundabouts, a ferry service trial, additional carparking, greater investment in active-travel solutions, and further funding for public transport which remains a State Government program.’’

Deputy Mayor Gates said she was delighted that a key focus of the 2019-2020 transport increase was in the northern growth area.

“I’m advised the north will be given a real kick-along, which is what I have been pushing for. Of course, every project still needs to be approved through the special budget rounds,’’ she said.

“As the city races towards one million people, the State needs to seriously look at better public transport options so people start to use it more.’’