Federal Budget Gold Coast: slow train coming and delays on M1 upgrades

Critics are accusing the Federal Government of short-changing the Gold Coast by denying the city its fair share of infrastructure spending – while funding major projects elsewhere.

THE majority of federal Budget funding for M1 upgrades and light rail will not kick in for at least four years, according to the Palaszczuk Government.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey today said Gold Coast residents were being “treated like second class citizens” because the Morrison Government did not fear losing its ultra-safe LNP federal seats on the Glitter Strip.

“There was nothing in Josh Frydenberg’s budget that will help congestion or support the Coast’s growing population in the short to mid term,” Mr Bailey told The Bulletin.

State Development Minister Cameron Dick and Transport Minister Mark Bailey pictured overlooking the M1 at Varsity talk about funding for the highway. Pic: Adam Head.

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He accused the Morrison Government of pulling the exact same trick the Turnbull Government had last year — big pre-budget announcements followed by low levels of funding which don’t flow to Queensland for at least four years, kicking in by 2023-24.

“That’s two elections away,” Mr Bailey said.

“All of the new M1 upgrade funding of $500 million is locked away until at least 2023, as is the majority of Gold Coast Light Rail 3A funding, which continues to fall well short of previous federal commitments on light rail at only 16 per cent of the project’s total cost.

“In a major embarrassment for the state LNP, the federal LNP Government has locked away nearly half of Coomera Connector business case funding until 2023-24.”

Mr Bailey said the Prime Minister has wasted an opportunity to commit fair funding for the Coast.

“Last night he found $1.6 billion for an M1 upgrade in NSW north of Newcastle at 80 per cent, but stood by his policy ripping off Gold Coast M1 motorists with a 50 per cent deal,” he said.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison visiting the Broadbeach South light rail station. Picture: Jerad Williams.

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But Coast-based Federal MP Karen Andrews said the Budget delivered the first surplus in more than a decade, created more local jobs, lowered taxes and guaranteed essential services like schools, hospitals and roads.

“After more than a decade of deficits, this budget forecasts a surplus of $7.1 billion in 2019-20 — a $55.5 billion turnaround from the deficit we inherited seven years ago,” she said.

“While the Budget forecasts a surplus, it also delivers an additional $158 billion in income tax relief for hard-working Australians, on top of the $144 billion in tax cuts locked into legislation last year.

“This includes immediate tax relief of up to $1,080 for low and middle income earners and up to $2,160 for a dual income couple to ease cost of living pressures.”

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McPherson MP Karen Andrews says Coast small businesses will welcome the Budget initiatives.

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The McPherson MP said small businesses on the Coast would welcome the Government increasing the instant asset write off to $30,000 and expanding its access, benefiting more than 70,000 operators on the tourist strip.

“The Gold Coast is the small business capital of Australia and our hard-working business owners are feeling the benefit of a Government that backs them,” Ms Andrews said.

“Increasing the instant asset-write off and expanding those who can access it will mean businesses can invest in growing and when they grow, so does the local economy and so do the number of local jobs.”

The Budget also guaranteed the essential services people on the Coast rely on, like schools, hospitals, aged care and disability support, Ms Andrews said.