Majority do not believe Coalition's Bypass pledge

UPDATE: A Chronicle online poll reveals most people do not believe that the Toowoomba Bypass will be built under the current Coalition Government.

UPDATE: A Chronicle online poll reveals many people do not believe that the Toowoomba Bypass will be built under the current Coalition Government.

Yesterday, The Chronicle asked its readers whether a Tony Abbott government would realise the $1.7 billion project.

Ninety-five per cent of poll participants do not believe the Bypass will be built.

As of 1.30pm, more than 780 people had voted.

Member for Groom Ian Macfarlane attacked The Chronicle in the wake of his election victory, claiming it was to blame for a 3% swing to Labor in Groom.

That was the biggest swing to Labor in Queensland.

TUESDAY: Groom voters believe the Federal Government should make the Toowoomba Bypass its first priority.

The project looks in serious doubt after Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Member for Groom Ian Macfarlane wound back an election promise to commit $700 million to the Bypass over the next three years.

The Coalition now claims that will be spent across the next two terms of government.

Of course, that relies on an Abbott Government getting re-elected.

An international company interested in taking on the $1.7 billion project originally hoped to have work finished within three years.

That timeframe seems unlikely.

On Facebook, The Chronicle asked its likers what should be the Coalition Government's first priorities. The Toowoomba Bypass dominated the responses:

Luke Petersen: "It's SIMPLE get the BYPASS done or GET OUT!!!"

Ben Reeson: "Bypass. It's basically the only thing he needs to get done."

Andrew Greaves: "The Bypass or labor will hold the seat next time."

Peter Terrill: "Build the second range crossing, make it toll free, or move aside and get someone in who will do it!"

>> What should be the first thing the Coalition Government delivers? See what others had to say on Facebook here

MONDAY: Pressure is building for the Federal Government to find private investment to build the Toowoomba Bypass.

An international company interested in taking on the $1.7 billion project originally hoped to have work finished within three years.

Now that the new Coalition Government has spread its $700 million funding commitment across two terms of government, the timeframe seems unlikely.

Toowoomba Regional Councillor Nancy Sommerfield said representatives of French firm Bouygues Construction had approached council over the three-year plan.

Toowoomba Regional Councillor Nancy Sommerfield confronts Member for Groom Ian Macfarlane on Facebook over funding for a second Toowoomba Range crossing. Picture: Contributed

"I was aware that there was to be $700 million in the first term (of government) and I'm disappointed there is not," Cr Sommerfield said.

"However, Ian Macfarlane assures us that it will be funded over time.

"My only disappointment is that if we have a firm that can build it in three years, it is now limited to five years.

"(The firm) came to council and said it could be built in three years.

"The sooner we can get the trucks off our roads, the better."

The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to beginning construction by Christmas next year, but no Federal money will be spent until the 2015-16 financial year.

Originally published as Majority do not believe Coalition's Bypass pledge