M1 Oxenford interchange plan: 400 plus residents put complaints in writing to State Government

The State Government is being warned to rethink a $25 million intersection upgrade on the Pacific Motorway after motorists rubbished its new plans.

The State Government is being warned to rethink the $25 million Oxenford intersection upgrade on the Pacific Motorway after residents rubbished its new plans.

Theodore MP Mark Boothman said he had forwarded more than 400 emails from residents and motorists who had complained to his office about the new designs for Exit 57.

“My office has been inundated with emails and phone calls from residents expressing their dismay at the proposed concept design for Exit 57 and total lack of consultation,” Mr Boothman told the Bulletin.

NEW OXENFORD INTERCHANGE DESIGN TO EASE CONGESTION

Artist impression of the redevelopment of the M1 interchange at Oxenford

“Even the Minister has admitted — in a Question on Notice in state parliament — there was no consultation with locals or businesses prior to the release of this concept.”

Extra turning lanes will be built from the M1 to Hope Island and Tamborine-Oxenford roads but motorists leaving the busy Oxenford shopping precinct can no longer cross the interchange to turn right to drive back south on the highway.

Retailers on the eastern side of the M1 fear they will lose trade and those on the western Oxenford section predict the feeder roads are likely to be in gridlock.

OXENFORD INTERCHANGE GETS $25M BOOST

Theodore MP Mark Boothman getting feedback from residents.

A business operator told Mr Boothman: “The proposed road changes are a poor solution and will negatively impact my business, making it harder for clients to reach shops and losing exposure to passing traffic is a very poor plan for local business.”

Another retailer predicted traffic would be moved into “already very congested roundabouts and compound already very busy school traffic during the peak hours”.

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Mr Boothman said his office had forwarded the comments of residents to Main Roads “so their voices are heard”.

“Virtually every resident has said slip lanes that bypass congestion giving access to the motorway is desperately needed,” he said.

“This concept design goes to show the total disregard this government has for the northern Gold Coast.

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The busy Oxenford interchange. Pic by David Clark.

OXENFORD RESIDENTS WANT SLIP LANES, NOT SOLAR

Area councillor William Owen-Jones on his Facebook page has updated residents on the plans by Main Roads and urged them to contact Mr Boothman as the State representative.

“The city of Gold Coast traffic engineers have been in traffic negotiations with the State in regard to the impact on council controlled roads,” Cr Owen-Jones said.

“We’re happy for any suggestion from Mr Boothman on how the impact to residents and businesses can be mitigated.”

Transport Minister Mark Bailey urged Mr Boothman to “stop playing petty politics” with his attempt to delay the project.

“We’re doing what Mark Boothman and the LNP failed to do when they were in government, and that’s building a better M1 with this $25 million investment,” Mr Bailey said.

The Government was delivering on an election commitment with construction scheduled by the end of this year, he said.

“The Department of Transport and Main Roads is consulting with the community on their upgrade designs and their feedback will help make sure we get this upgrade right,” Mr Bailey said.