Residents want slip road not solar at northern Gold Coast suburb interchange

A PETITION is circulating around the Gold Coast, pushing for a new slip lane on a problem M1 exit, but the land has already been committed elsewhere.

OXENFORD residents want slip roads ahead of solar when it comes to easing congestion times on the M1 and its feeder roads.

Locals say they are tired of waiting up to 30 minutes to get through one set of traffic lights and want the State Government to reverse its decision to put solar panels on the side of the Oxenford interchange at Exit 57.

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At a cost of $240,000, the Transport and Main Roads project on Tamborine-Oxenford Rd Deviation is supposed to offset the power used to light the interchange underpass.

However, Leisa Dunkerley, who launched a petition to keep the space near the Oxenford Tavern for roadworks, said the build-up of traffic at the intersection was “atrocious’’.

Leisa Dunkerley of Oxenford Picture Mike Batterham

“This is land that could have been used as a slip road, but it will now be taken up by solar panels. I’m not at all against solar but we need space at this intersection.

“It would make such a difference to have a slip lane in there,” Ms Dunkerley, a marriage celebrant, said.

“It sometimes takes 30 minutes to get through one set of lights, especially since all the development that has gone on in the area.

“With the amount of traffic, I also don’t see how they are going to keep them (the solar panels) clean.”

Residents want the land next door to the Oxenford Tavern to be used as a slip lane instead. Picture: Jerad Williams

The petition, which has attracted hundreds of signatures, calls on Main Roads and Transport Minister Mark Bailey to set up the panels at the Oxenford State School to help relieve its electricity cost burden.

Work to install the solar panels on the Main Roads-owned block began on February 22 and were expected to have been completed by mid April. Work to date has included fence erection and site levelling.

The parcel of land at the corner of Tamborine Oxenford Rd Deviation and Heathwood Dr, Oxenford. Picture: Jerad Williams

LNP Member for Theodore Mark Boothman criticised the decision.

“It is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever seen the Government do, when we have residents crying out for a slip road northbound,” Mr Boothman said. “The carbon monoxide footprint caused by the traffic build-up at the intersection would outweigh anything gained by the solar panels.

“As one resident put it, we honestly believed they are finally building that slip lane, and when we found it was solar panels we were heart broken.”

Member for Theodore Mark Boothman. Pics Tim Marsden

Mr Boothman said he intended to join Mrs Dunkerley on her mission for more signatures, saying he would be doorknocking within the week.

Main Roads would only say that the solar panels were being fenced off to stop vandalism. Mr Bailey did not reply to Bulletin questions.