Gold Coast business and political leaders slam M1 funding battle between Turnbull and Palaszczuk

THE Gold Coast stretch of the M1 has been labelled a ‘national embarrassment’ by frustrated political and business leaders who have a blunt message for state and federal political leaders.

MAYOR Tom Tate and key Gold Coast business leaders have told warring politicians to end the “national embarrassment” and fix the M1 mess.

“Talk of improved funding offers is great news but the fact remains, the state and federal governments are yet to ink the deal and while they continue to debate percentage splits, productivity losses for tradies and industry continue to mount,” Mayor Tate said.

“Both the state and federal governments need to remember that one in seven Australian voters live in the southeast Queensland corner.”

COAST’S $2 BILLION M1 GRIDLOCK FIX REVEALED

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate talking to the media about the new Gold Coast sign at Yatala. Picture: Jerad Williams

He said the Gold Coast City Council committed more than $100 million to road upgrades this financial year to take pressure off the M1 and prepare for the Commonwealth Games.

“I am looking over the 2018-19 budget now and our council will commit whatever funds we need to keep our road network growing and improving. That includes any feeder roads that exit or enter the M1.

“We will just keep getting on with improving our local roads, but the M1 is now becoming a national embarrassment.’’

The M1 has been labelled a ‘national embarrassment’. Picture Glenn Hampson

He said a 50-50 funding split between federal and state governments was ideal, but urged both parties to strike a one-off 60-40 split compromise to solve the impasse.

Greater Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce president Hillary Jacobs said ongoing M1 chaos continued to damage businesses and the region’s reputation.

“We now have a reputation, given our suburbs are on the radio all the time saying there are car crashes and gridlock at Elanora,” she said.

“We don’t want to be in the news for this, we want to be known as a go-ahead part of the Coast. The chamber is supportive of any moves to develop the M1 south of Reedy Creek.”

Northern Chamber of Commerce president Martin Brady warned ongoing inaction would only push up the cost of future upgrades.

“Every time nothing is done the cost goes up dramatically and at this point everyone on the Gold Coast is over this argument of how the upgrades are funded. They just want the job done,” he said.

“It feels like we have been talking about the M1 for so long and the continuing impact on businesses is huge while the number of crashes that happen daily is worrying.

“We need a proactive approach given the population growth because otherwise we will just end up being 10 years behind all the time.”