RACQ's top priorities to keep the Gold Coast moving

RACQ named the Coomera Connector, Pacific Motorway upgrades and stage four of the Gold Coast Light Rail as the highest priorities and called for funding commitments for these projects before Queenslanders headed to the polls.

RACQ Head of Public Policy Rebecca Michael said with the country in recession, an investment in infrastructure and road safety works solved more than just our economic woes.

“Now more than ever we need a pipeline of projects in the works to stimulate our economy, create jobs, improve road safety and ultimately improve the lives of Queenslanders by increasing the reliability and efficiency of our transport system,” Dr Michael said.

“We know commuters between the Gold Coast and Brisbane spend up to three weeks a year stuck in traffic. Fast tracking the Coomera Connector will help improve that congestion, safety and productivity on the M1, as well as provide new road, active and public transport options to high growth residential and industrial areas on the northern Gold Coast.

“We also want funding to be accelerated for the final stage of the Pacific Motorway upgrade from Daisy Hill to the Logan Motorway, so work can start when the Springwood to Daisy Hill section is complete.

“Extending the light rail south to Coolangatta and the Gold Coast Airport is also one of our top election priorities, because it’ll help future proof public transport on the coast.”

Dr Michael said the Club would also like to see increased funding commitments for safe cycling infrastructure and road safety initiatives, including a mass action program of low-cost, high benefit safety upgrades across the State to achieve a minimum 30 percent reduction in fatal and serious injuries by 2030.

“We’ve lost too many lives on the State’s roads this year already. Small investments into works like wide centre lines, central and roadside safety barriers and intersection upgrades go a long way to helping make our roads safer for all Queenslanders,” she said.

“Queenslanders need to ensure they’re considering where their political vote goes and whether their candidate is willing to commit to improve Queenslanders’ lives and mobility options.

To view RACQ’s Priority Transport Projects, please visit: www.racq.com.au/bettertransportQLD