Transport failures ‘choking’ city say business leaders

A leading developer has warned transport failures are choking the city to death — and has given a bleak assessment of the health of the Gold Coast’s most vital road artery.

A LEADING developer has warned transport failures are choking the city to death and has given a bleak assessment of the health of the Gold Coast’s most vital road artery.

“If the M1 was a patient you wouldn’t be calling an ambulance, you would be calling the priest,” said Pimpama City shopping centre developer Greg Rix yesterday.

He was joined by others, including Northern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce secretary Gary Mays, in warning the region is choking through traffic congestion.

Gary Mays said commitment to roads funding has to happen now.

“We need to stop talking about it. I wish somebody would do something an commit, do something concrete,” a frustrated Mr Mays said when asked what he thought of the state of infrastructure — particularly in light of the fatal incident on the M1 yesterday morning that closed the northbound lanes.

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He was angry when contacted late yesterday, revealing he had been stuck in peak-hour traffic.

A strategic transport “road map’’ for the region put together by the SEQ Council of Mayors has predicted the Transport and Main Roads transport model for southeast Queensland and current strategies for infrastructure will not be able to cope with future transport demand.

Greg Rix on site at Pimpama City Shopping Centre. Photo by Richard Gosling

Release of the mayors’ bid to beat traffic gridlock coincided with a Bulletin report yesterday that said new figures showed the Gold Coast was growing faster than anticipated and the city’s population would reach a million by 2045.

Mr Rix, a third-generation Gold Coaster and director of Rix Developments, said the Government had known for years what was needed.

He said he was frustrated by the revelations in the Council of Mayors report.

Mr Rix said even the average punter could have seen that.

“The evidence speaks for itself. Any given day at any given time, our roads are at the state of complete overload. A developer would never get away with any of this,” Mr Rix said.

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Member for Coomera Michael Crandon and Opposition leader Deb Frecklington.

Mr Rix questioned why funding commitments had not been made sooner.

“The growth shouldn’t have come as a surprise. We have been saying it for years,” he said.

“Pimpama is now one of the fastest growing regions in Australia.”

Mr Rix slammed any suggestion developers were to blame for traffic problems.

“Developers do not get a free ride. We pay $28,500 for every lot to the local authority, and there are huge amounts of taxes for each build,” he said.

“The Government then has the responsibility to provide facilities that are adequate and they are not doing that.

“Quite frankly, it has gone past an easy fix.

‘The facts remain the region is the biggest income driver for the Government.

“I’m frustrated, first and foremost as a third-generation local, to see my city choking itself to death.”

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Mr Mays meanwhile gave an exasperated sigh when asked about the growth and infrastructure issue.

“It’s like ‘let’s just placate everyone by having a meeting and putting out a media release, that will make them think something is happening’,” he said.

“Every day everyone is frustrated, and next week when kids go back to school it will be 10 times worse.

“Everyone knows how bad it is because there is only one road. You have no choice but to use it.’’

Mr Mays said businesses missed out when the M1 shut down.

“The whole Gold Coast comes to a standstill but someone has to pay for it and usually it is small business.”

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Afternoon rush hour traffic at Southport, a major on ramp to the M1.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington recommitted the LNP to funding an alternative motorway to the M1, to be called the Coomera Connector, and accepted the SEQ Council of Mayors predicted cost of $1.1 billion.

Earlier this year Ms Frecklington committed the LNP in government to just $250 million in funding for the Coomera Connector.

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Yesterday she would not clarify the LNP’s proposed funding split with Canberra.

“If the sate LNP have to deliver the second M1, then that is what we will do,” she said.

The Gold Coast City Council was not involved in the compilation of the Council of Mayors report, having previously voted to leave the organisation.

Morning traffic heading south near the Coomera exit on the M1.

Acting Mayor Donna Gates said population growth had exceeded plans but that did not mean the Coast was being left behind.

“Our plans are under constant review for this very reason so I expect the transport plan (2013-2031) will be re-examined to now take on board the projected population curve,” she said.

Transport Minister Mark Baily said the funding commitments can’t just come from the state government to deliver transport infrastructure for future demand.

The state Government has committed funding to the Coomera Connector with $5 million to progress planning.

“The Opposition saw no use for the Coomera Connector when they were in government, going as far as blocking progress and keeping it out of major planning documents,” Minister Bailey said.

“When they finally recognised the future need for it, they massively underestimated it’s cost at the last election and have revised their figures up by $600 million after their costing blunder.”