State election 2017: Labor to fast-track upgrade of the Gold Coast’s M1 stretch

THE election is over but what will happen with the M1? The Gold Coast’s newest MP and her overjoyed colleagues have revealed when you will be driving on an upgraded M1.

LABOR is likely to accelerate fixes for the city’s biggest headache if it wins its first seat on the Gold Coast in years.

Jubilant Labor heavyweights, last night confident of a statewide party majority and cheering Gaven candidate Meaghan Scanlon’s lead, say if she wins and gives the party a Gold Coast foothold, it will help fast-track an M1 solution.

WE’LL BE WAITING DAYS FOR A RESULT

Labor's Meaghan Scanlon. Photo by Richard Gosling

A senior State Government source told the Bulletin: “It’s definitely going to be a lot easier to find a fix for the M1 now we have a seat there”.

Labor star Kate Jones, dubbed the Minister for the Gold Coast, admitted roadside assist giant RACQ was “probably” right three weeks ago when it said both Labor and the LNP’s election pledges on the M1 were needed as it was so bad.

HOW LABOR BROKE COAST’S BLUE BLOC

Kate Jones. Pics Adam Head

“I think that is probably true,” Ms Jones said. “But the problem with the (LNP’s) M2 plan was they had no money to fund it.

Traffic on the M1 Photo: Steve Holland

“Meaghan will make it very clear her community will want to make the M1 a priority for both state and federal governments into the future.”

QUESTIONS OVER COAST MP’S FUTURE

Ms Jones also tipped a “substantial role” for Miss Scanlon — who at 24 would be the youngest female Queensland MP in history — ”to be the voice of the Gold Coast and fighting for issues such as M1 and jobs”.

But Miss Scanlon was last night coy about promising too much before the seat was a “lock”.

“I just don’t want to count my eggs before they hatch,” she said. “I’ll be very vocal in making sure we roll out what has been promised.

“I travel the M1 frequently so know it’s a big issue. Rest assured I will make sure I advocate in Parliament that our commitments are followed through on.”

Labor candidate for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon with her Mother Margaret Scanlon, Brother Callum Scanlon and supporters at her election night party at Parkwood. Picture Mike Batterham

Ms Scanlon, in a tight fight with the LNP’s Sid Cramp, said she would also ensure what was already promised for Gaven went ahead such as $1.5 million for schools and boost to Gold Coast health care workers.

OPINION: WE’VE HAD ENOUGH OF M1 GRIDLOCK FARCE

SId Cramp back at the scrutineering table on Sunday Picture: Jerad Williams

Labor is determined to make the northern Coast seat of Gaven a safe one for the party and insiders know the key will be rolling out major upgrades of the highway at congestion hot spots.

WHY M2 AND M1 UPGRADE ARE BOTH NEEDED

A senior State Government source said: “We’ve promised so much for the Gold Coast and now residents have delivered with an MP. Possibly it will put the Federal Government on notice as well. We need their funding.”

The M1 upgrade will be on the priority list. Photo: Steve Holland

The Bulletin’s Going for Gold campaign in the lead up to Saturday’s State poll provided research which showed the M1 in some sections will reach capacity within 12 months.

The return of the Palazczuk Government means LNP’s second M1 is stalled, light rail stage three will get a green light but confusion exists about highway upgrades.

SECOND M1 ONLY PROJECT ON THE HORIZON

The LNP promised a $500m new highway east of the M1 in its first term and off-ramp upgrades on the existing eight-lane highway.

Under the ALP plan, the M1 will be widened all the way to the border Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Labor announced it was delivering major upgrades at Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes and the Gateway Merge, and it was committed to a third major upgrade with $206m more on the table to finish a six-lane highway to the border.

But documents show $176m of the $206m will only be committed “beyond 2020-21”.

Mudgeeraba MP Ros Bates admitted the election result had killed plans for the M2.

“Under a Labor Government there will be no M2 for the Gold Coast,” the fourth-term MP said.

Ros Bates (AAP Image/Darren England)

“My job now for this next parliamentary term will be to hold them to account and make sure they put their money where their mouth is in widening the M1 to the border.”

BAILEY: WHO YOU SHOULD BLAME FOR M1 CHAOS

Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens said congestion on the M1 was the most common issue raised with him at polling booths in his safe seat.

He said April’s Commonwealth Games would prove to be a major test of the Pacific Motorway and he would use his next term in parliament to lobby for the upgrade as an urgent project for the city.

Ray Stevens. Photo by Richard Gosling

Newly elected in Broadwater, the LNP’s David Crisafulli would not speculate on whether he would support Labor’s plan for the M1 as it was “too early” in the counting process.

“The M1 absolutely is the lifeblood of the Coast and we owe it to everybody who lives in the Gold Coast, regardless of who they voted for, to get it right and make sure the road functions properly,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli said he would hold whoever was made an MP on the Coast accountable for helping fix the M1.

David Crisafulli. Picture: Jerad Williams