Opposition calls for second M1 to be built on Gold Coast but falls short of commitment

EVERYONE knows how frustrating it is to drive on the M1 during peak hour. Now the Opposition says we need a second motorway. But are they willing to pay for it?

A SECOND motorway is needed to relieve traffic congestion on the M1, according to the opposition.

However, the LNP have fallen short of committing funding to the project, instead demanding the State Government do it.

The Opposition this morning launched a petition calling on the Palaszczuk Government to build a second M1 on a 36.5km corridor set aside for the Inter-Regional Transport Corridor (IRTC).

The IRTC, gazetted last year, is a proposed arterial road which would run from Stapylton-Jacobs Well Road in the city’s far-north to Nerang-Broadbeach Road.

Tim Nichols. Pic Annette Dew

Opposition leader Tim Nichols said a second major arterial was long-overdue.

“With only a single dual lane bridge over the Pimpama, Nerang and Coomera rivers — accidents mean the M1 is a parking lot within minutes — demonstrating clearly that an alternative is needed,” he said.

“This new corridor is wide enough for at least four general traffic lanes and could include facilities for public transport and paths for walking and cycling,” he said.

Busy traffic on the M1 Photo: David Clark

“It would be a game changer for the northern Gold Coast and ease the burden on the current M1.”

The IRTC was first proposed in the 1990s but was canned by the former LNP Newman Government when developing the SEQ Regional Plan and ordered the Gold Coast City Council to remove the road from its long-term plans.

Steven Miles (AAP Image/Darren England)

Acting Main Roads Minister Steven Miles hit back at the LNP, calling the announcement a “stunt”.

“The Nicholls-Newman government not only failed to invest one single dollar in the M1 during their record majority but they also failed to plan for the future by taking the unprecedented step to remove the Intra-Regional Transport Corridor (IRTC) from the SEQ Regional Plan in 2014,” he said.

“We’re taking action to formally protect the corridor. Last year we formally gazetted the first stage of the IRTC between Nerang and Coomera and the northern section between Coomera and Stapylton is currently underway.

“While construction of the IRTC is several years away, we’re acting now to make sure it is protected from development.”

The RACQ backed the proposal for a second motorway.