Poll shock: what Gold Coast residents think about political promises on M1 upgrades

At least one third of Gold Coast voters go to the poll today unsure which major party can fix the congestion on the Pacific Motorway. Here’s what voters think.

AT least a third of voters in one of Australia’s most marginal seats will go to the poll today uncertain about which major party will fix congestion on the Pacific Motorway.

An exclusive YouGov Galaxy poll for the Gold Coast Bulletin reveals 34 per cent of voters in Forde in the city’s north do not know who has the better plan to ease gridlock on the M1.

Congestion on the M1. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

“Voters in Forde believe the LNP has a better plan than Labor to fix congestion on the M1, 37 per cent to 29 per cent,” a YouGov pollster said. “Voters in the seat also rate Scott Morrison a better choice of Prime Minister, 50 per cent to 30 per cent.”

OTHER NEWS:

Murder heartbreak for grieving father

Sacked: Rugby Australia tear up Folau contract

Is this one of the world’s oldest horses?

The exclusive polling in Forde was conducted on Monday and Tuesday nights with 567 voters surveyed in the seat.

The poll also found the vote was split with 50 per cent each for the LNP and Labor.

Of the Forde voters uncertain of who had the better congestion-busting plan, 22 per cent say they are LNP supporters and 28 per cent back Labor.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR FIRST 12 WEEKS

Overcrowding at the car park at Coomera Railway Station.

At least 76 per cent of LNP voters are convinced that the Morrison Government has a solution to the city’s traffic problems while 67 per cent of ALP supporters say only Labor can fix the gridlock.

Incumbent LNP MP Bert van Manen said he was not surprised by the poll’s results.

“It clearly demonstrates the LNP’s commitment to the community to be delivering on its promises,” he said yesterday.

Work has already begun on more than $1 billion worth of previously announced upgrades to the M1.

This includes widening the highway between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes and the M1/M3 Gateway merge in Brisbane.

Labor candidate Des Hardman on the campaign trail at Norfolk Village State School talking with teacher Breanna Grimshaw from Shailor Park. Pic Tim Marsden.

A further $1 billion upgrade, which will widen the M1 from Varsity Lakes to the border, has been announced, but work is yet to begin.

The disillusionment among voters reflects the ongoing stand-off on light rail where both Labor and the LNP will only commit $112 million, creating a shortfall to get the next stage to Burleigh started.

Mr van Manen, who has a margin of 0.6 per cent, and Labor’s Des Hardman have made several specific transport funding announcements on the M1 during the campaign.

Labor is convinced its overall transport package, which includes $2.2 billion for Brisbane’s Cross River Rail, is beyond what the LNP promises.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR FIRST 12 WEEKS

Forde MP Bert van Manen checking traffic at the M1. Picture: Danielle Buckley.

If elected, the ALP said it would match the LNP’s promise to spend $50 million upgrading exits 41 and 49 on the M1. It says it would also commit $48 million to Exit 45.

Mr Hardman has announced a $2.2 million upgrade of the Ormeau station car park, creating another 120 bays, and $15 million each to parking at Coomera and Beenleigh, boosting numbers by 400 at each.

“For specific election promises committed outside of what is in the budget, we are ahead of the LNP,” Mr Hardman said.

Apart from health and eduction, transport was the main issue brought up by residents during doorknocking, he said.

“People are particularly concerned about access and congestion on the M1, and safety on the exits,” Mr Hardman said.