Budget delivers more record road spending for the South Coast

The Palaszczuk Government will deliver $372.1 million of road infrastructure in 2018-19 for the South Coast district as part of another record investment for the third year in a row.

Member for Gaven, Meaghan Scanlon said the region was a beneficiary of the blockbuster roads budget being delivered under the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP).

She said the Palaszczuk Government’s funding would support about 1,619 jobs as part of the four year QTRIP in the region.

“The funding for the Gold Coast, Logan and Scenic Rim area is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s record spend on road and transport infrastructure across the state for the third year running, with an investment of about $21.7 billion over the next four years,” Ms Scanlon said.

“This is $700 million higher than last year’s QTRIP, resulting from a 10% increase in the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment, which offset a disappointing 6.2% reduction in funding from the Federal LNP Government.

 “It will include $1.784 billion of works planned just for this area alone, over the next four years.

 “Continuing works on the Mount Lindesay Highway and other key links, and the reconstruction of damaged roads is the main focus for this year’s budget.

 “Importantly, the M1 remains a major focus of the Palaszczuk Government, as we continue to repair the damage done by the previous LNP Government, who did not invest a single cent in that vital motorway.”

 Ms Scanlon said the major projects for the South Coast district in 2018-19 included:

-     M1, continue widening from four to six lanes between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes for a total cost of $197.5 million (2018-19 $70 million)

-     M1, continue construction of additional southbound lanes on the merge between the Gateway Motorway and the Pacific Motorway at Eight Miles Plains and Rochdale for a total cost of $190 million (2018-19 $50 million)

-     M1, complete planning and start design to upgrade the motorway between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill for a total cost of $749 million (2018-19 $17 million)

-     M1, complete planning and start design to upgrade the motorway between Varsity Lakes and Tugun for a total cost of $1.030 billion (2018-19 $5 million)      

-     Mount Lindesay Highway, complete road safety improvements at North Maclean, Greenbank Road and South Maclean, Camp Cable Road to Jimboomba for a total cost of $40 million (2018-19 $17.8 million).

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said “Other works planned for the South Coast district include reconstruction works on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road, Waterford-Tamborine Road, Lamington National Park Road, Nerang-Murwillumbah Road and Beechmont Road,”

“The Palaszczuk Government is also providing $2.5 million in 2018-19 in funding to local governments through the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) to fund the development of transport related infrastructure.”

Mr Bailey said this budget showed a continuing commitment to delivering key infrastructure and creating jobs for the people of Queensland.

“The Palaszczuk investment in roads, rail, marine, passenger transport and active transport infrastructure is estimated to support about 19,200 direct jobs, on average, over the life of the four-year program,” he said.

ENDS:

Contact:  Dominic Geiger,  0447 355 565