LNP pushes pedal to metal for second motorway after long weekend traffic nightmares on M1

THE push for a second M1 on the Gold Coast has stepped up a gear ahead of tomorrow’s federal budget. But how long will motorists wait until it is built?

THE push for a second M1 on the Gold Coast has stepped up a gear ahead of tomorrow’s Federal Budget.

Following nightmare traffic on the M1 across the long weekend, Queensland opposition leader Deb Frecklington has demanded that detailed planning on the duplicate road begin immediately.

State Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey last night said the Palaszczuk Government had resumed long-term planning for the road, but that construction remained “several years away”.

“The former LNP Government cut the Intra-Regional Transport Corridor from the SEQ Regional Plan in 2014,” he said.

“The Palaszczuk Government is taking action to formally protect the corridor.

“The Palaszczuk Government recommenced planning on the second M1 and has gazetted two further sections in the last two years.

State Transport Minister Mark Bailey turns the first sod on the upgrade of the M1. Picture: Andrew Potts

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“Last year we formally gazetted the first stage of the IRTC between Nerang and Coomera and the northern section between Coomera and Stapylton was gazetted earlier this year.

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

Mr Bailey said calls from Ms Frecklington for the second M1 to be built needed to be backed up with an offer of hard cash from Canberra.

“To date Mrs Frecklington’s Turnbull Government LNP colleagues have allocated $0 to the second M1 which is $2.4 billion short of its actual cost,” he said.

State LNP Leader Deb Frecklington near the Pimpama exit along the M1last month. Picture: AAP image, John Gass.

Ms Frecklington said the State Government needed to begin detailed design work on the duplicate road before lobbying Canberra for funds.

“The first thing that needs to happen is for the Palaszczuk Government to fast-track the planning and design work for a second M1 then work with the Feds to get it built so the traffic nightmare ends for Gold Coast motorists,” she said.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk must fund that planning and design work in this year’s State Budget and then the lobbying of Canberra can begin.”

Fadden MP Stuart Robert said tomorrow’s Budget had ticked off on his wish list for the M1 following Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s announcement of $1 billion to help fund upgrades.

Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey speaks during Question Time at Parliament House in Brisbane last week. AAP Image/Dan Peled.

He said the need for a duplicate road and further extensions of the light rail now became priorities for the Coast.

“The M1 is finished – we’ve offered $1 billion and a 30 per cent location offset for the film industry,” he said.

“... Next projects for the following 12 months are to drive a light rail spur up Olsen Avenue to Harbour Town, sink a war ship off the Gold Coast (and) make the IRTC a reality as a duplicate for the M1.

“These three projects are owned by the State Government, so I’m looking forward to working with them on them.”

Federal member for Fadden Stuart Robert says the need for a duplicate motorway and further extensions of the light rail have become priorities for the Coast. AAP image, John Gass.

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Mudgeeraba MP Ros Bates said southeast Queenslanders deserved a plan to bust congestion “and get them home sooner and safer”.

McPherson MP Karen Andrews said following Mr Turnbull’s announcement of M1 funding her Budget priorities involved improving transport infrastructure on the Coast’s southern end.

“Light rail stage three is the next on my agenda. I’d be looking at pushing along similar lines to stage two where there was Commonwealth funding,” she said.

Gold Coast-based Labor Senator Murray Watt welcomed the M1 announcement but said the region “still has some big priorities that need to be addressed”.