Gold Coast North Chamber of Commerce President Gary Mays demands government ‘fix up the bloody roads’

Business leaders losing patience with congestion across the city are demanding the state government take action to fix the problem, with two projects in particular top of their wishlist.

FUNDS for the M1, the Coomera Connector and the light rail sit at the top of the State Budget wishlist for Gold Coast Chambers of Commerce from North to South.

In the North of the Gold Coast the state of the roads were on everyone’s lips.

“Infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure — fix up the bloody roads,” Gold Coast North Chamber of Commerce President Gary Mays told the Bulletin.

“It is all everyone talks about so we are hoping for more funding in the north of the gold Coast for congestion.”

WHAT GOLD COASTERS THINK ABOUT POLITICAL PROMISES

Traffic congestion on the M1. Pic by David Clark

Mr Mays who runs his own small business said the growth of the region is felt by every commuter as they struggle through peak hour traffic daily.

He believes a commitment of funding to the Coomera Connector and further M1 funding in the 2019-2020 state budget is what is needed.

“I left Coomera before seven this morning and arrived at the site in Brisbane just before nine,” Mr Mays said.

OTHER NEWS:

Cruelty probe after dog found in river

School bus targeted by paintball gun shooter

Traffic nightmare on M1 after multiple car crashes

The Chamber of Commerce would also like to see more funding for the light rail continuation. Picture Glenn Hampson

“The worst of it was getting out of Foxwell road and onto the M1.

“If we could find a way to get half the traffic off the M1 that would solve a lot of problems.

“The state of the roads is the top of the budget wish list.”

For the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce, the epicentre of the region’s tourism and hospitality, payroll tax was a priority.

“Australia’s and Queensland’s economy is weak and it (payroll tax) is at a tipping point,” said

president Martin Hall said.

“Interest rates are at record lows, GDP growth is slower than any time since the Global Financial Crisis, the property market is falling and household consumption is diving.”

SUBSCRIPTION OFFER: GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS + JABRA WIRELESS HEADPHONES

“Queensland needs a massive economic confidence boost and from the small business sector’s position the clear answer is to scrap payroll tax, or at least cut it for smaller businesses.”

Mr Hall said that while scrapping payroll tax was clearly the most important desire for business owners, the organisation also had other priorities.

These included the state Government finalising the funding with the Federal Government over the full cost of the light rail Stage 3A and M1.

A commitment to finalising The Spit master plan also rated a mention by the central chamber as did a fix for the State Government’s Buy Local campaign.

400 COMPLAINTS ABOUT LACK OF CONSULTATION WITH NOTORIOUS INTERCHANGE

“The State Government should follow the example of City of Gold Coast, which is

sourcing more than 70% of its purchases from local businesses.”

Down in the southern end of the Coast infrastructure improvements were again the centrepiece of the wish list.

“Commitment to the light rail going down to the Coolangatta and improvements to the M1 are what businesses on the Southern Gold Coast want,” Hilary Jacobs, president of the Greater Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce said.

“We are already seeing the poor roads impact on business every day,” Ms Jacobs said.

“You listen to the radio of a morning, you can bet your bottom dollar there is traffic on the Southern Gold Coast and in the afternoon it is the same.

“The issue is slowing businesses down like you wouldn’t believe.”

Despite the ongoing frustration Ms Jacobs said she was optimistic a solution will eventually be found, just maybe not this budget.

“I think the biggest problem is everyone waiting for everyone else to make a move.

“I look forward to seeing some good results in the budget.”