Gold Coast councillor Mark Hammel, Coomera MP Michael Crandon want total overhaul of Exit 45 at Ormeau

Two Gold Coast politicians have voiced their frustrations over upgrades of a notorious M1 interchange in the city’s north, claiming the works will fail to cater for future traffic demands

A $20m upgrade of a notorious M1 interchange in the city’s north is a “band-aid” fix that will fail to cater for future traffic demands, area politicians say.

Instead, Gold Coast City councillor Mark Hammel and Coomera MP Michael Crandon say Exit 45 at Ormeau needs a total overhaul before the 2032 Olympics.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey visited the Coast this week to announce the start of a six-month project to reduce queuing M1. Speeds will drop to 80km/h in some areas during construction.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey visited the Coast this week to announce the start of a six-month project to reduce queuing M1. Picture: Steve Pohlner

But in an update to residents on Facebook, Cr Hammel offered a sobering view on traffic safety and congestion.

“I wish the news were better,” he wrote. “I’m afraid the state government’s recently announced safety upgrade to the Exit 45 southbound off-ramp at Ormeau can only be described as a band-aid placed over a much bigger wound.”

He said the upgrade included the creation of a left-turn slip lane and acceleration lane southbound, connecting to a new signalised intersection at Lahrs Road and Zupp Drive.

The slip lane will also allow traffic bound for the Yatala industrial precinct to bypass the eastern interchange roundabout.

“There’s no doubting we will very likely see some improvement with congestion, reduced travel times, safety and potentially an improvement for freight access to Yatala and Ormeau,” Cr Hammel said.

“While these improvements are long overdue, we should be grateful they are finally happening. Ultimately, a reduction of dangerous queuing along the M1 during peak traffic times is a good thing.

“But this $20m project is only a drop in the ocean that addresses one of several significant safety and traffic congestion issues at this busy interchange.

“Only a complete interchange upgrade will fix these issues. And unfortunately, this isn’t it.”

Cr Hammel said the feedback he had received from many angry and frustrated residents and business owners was about no plans, funding or timelines to ensure Exit 45 had a complete overhaul.

Mr Bailey had indicated the state government was “laying the groundwork for future upgrades at this location, which will be considered as traffic volumes and conditions warrant”.

Cr Hammel said he was an independent councillor and not playing politics, but the remark showed “how out of touch he (Mr Bailey) and his department are when it comes to the very real issues our community faces on our roads every day”.

“Ask any resident or business owner if sitting in traffic for 40 minutes every day to crawl a few hundred metres up the road ‘warrants future upgrades’.

“I sit in the same traffic jams as you – along the M1 and on Eggersdorf Rd, Peachey Rd, Tillyroen Rd and Lahrs Rd. If you ask me – and most locals – the time to get this interchange completely upgraded was about a decade ago.”

EXIT 45 Traffic on the M1 built up again this morning after a multi car accident near the Ormeau exit (exit 45) Pic by David Clark

Mr Crandon said he would continue to push for a full upgrade of the intersection.

“If you recall, I was committed to a second Exit 45, south of the Pimpama River, and a second northbound on-ramp at the Mirambeena Drive overpasses, had the LNP won government,” he said.

“This band-aid fix was not even on the agenda until then. This is a small step and a full upgrade is what is needed and, be assured, I will continue to advocate for it.

“I’m told this will improve safety — I hope they’re right.”

When new Starbucks will open, jobs become available

January 25: Finishing touches are being put to the Gold Coast’s latest Starbucks coffee shop, which will open in the first week of March.

Construction work on the outlet at the corner of Foxwell Road and Finnegan Way is largely complete, with fit-out and landscaping works taking place at the site this week.

The coffee giant is currently looking to hire staff for its new store, with barista and shift supervisor roles on offer.

The arrival of Starbucks in Coomera has sparked concerns among locals about possible traffic impacts, with a high volume of vehicles already using the roundabout adjacent to the new store.

Local councillor and Deputy Mayor Donna Gates said the state government had gazetted the section of Foxwell Road between Shipper Drive and the M1 and upgrade works associated with the Coomera Connector would be undertaken by the state.

However council planned to upgrade the junction in the interim, with design funding in this year’s budget and another $585,000 allocated for 2022-23.

Landscaping works are taking place at the site this week. Picture: Keith Woods.

“The upgrade will include adjustment of the traffic islands and lane maintenance to provide two lanes southbound on Finnegan and two lanes northbound on Shipper,” Cr Gates said.

Cr Gates also said that landscaping works would take place at the roundabout shortly to “alleviate possible injury if a vehicle mounts the kerb” and “improve visual amenity”.

The Coomera shop with become the sixth Starbucks outlet on the Gold Coast alongside branches at Ashmore, Robina Town Centre, Broadbeach, Cavill Ave and the Chevron Renaissance.

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