Where our Pollies stand: residents against increased noise

We have met with Stuart Robert and Rana Watson, Liberal and Labor candidates for the seat of Fadden. David Jull is retiring at this election.

During the course of our conversations we expressed our situation about the road and presented verbally proof of the deceit, incompetence and incomprehensible action taken by QDMR in deciding how to get the road built. Documents just floating around the internet even on superficial basis show that what QDMR did to manage the building of the road between Pimpama and Smith Street was wrong, cheap, dangerous and with very little regard to the residents. All we want is our right to peace and quiet. We want our right to enjoy constitutional right to our amenity and we want to enjoy the right and ability to enjoy our backyard. In some places you can't hear yourself laugh. If one of the senior public servants from QDMR lived with us the road would have been fixed long ago.

Then we are told we have to stop being unreasonable. Minister Lucas, when he was Minister, and our representatives won't talk to us because they see us as unreasonable. How childish can one get? We are all adults and can talk the talk. To be branded unreasonable by your local member and advised in writing he won't talk to you as a group and only to individuals is outrageous. Our member spoke to the South Coast Hinterland Director of DMR on 9 July 2007 and left him with several questions. The person hasn't even replied to our local member. It's been nearly three months. If that's not arrogance and unreasonable what is?

Stuart Robert agreed we have been badly done by and was able to get $455mill allocated to M1 sooner than later. We understand now that this money was earmarked anyway but he may have pried it away from them our sooner than was planned. Thank you very much but none if any will be spent where we want it spent - fixing up our stretch. Readers need to understand this is Federal money given to Queensland to do, fix or reseal main roads. I would have thought that if the commonwealth spent its money it would need to make sure that not only was it spent, that it was spent properly and that it is actually is what and in the manner of what the public wants and needs. Under the conditions of the National Audit Act under section 3 there could be questions asked about the Queensland Government.

Rana Watson wants to broker a deal with the Minister. To break the deadlock between them and us. We didn't know we were the forces of evil and they were the good guys. We all thought we were on the same planet working the political process to get the best result. Maybe certain people can't handle the pressure of working with people that disagree with them. So they get promoted.

All we want is our right to peace and quiet. We want government to do what they said they would do and build the road with less noise. We trusted them during the consultation process and they did whatever they wanted to do. Where do you stand?

(6/9/07)

Do you recall at the public meeting in June where we told Phil Gray to invite Minister Lucas to a meeting to answer our questions on the road noise. We have just received a reply from the Minister's stooge, the Parliamentary Secretary for Main Roads, Andrew McNamara MP, instead of the Minister himself. Phil Gray asked the Minister to come to a meeting but Andrew can’t make it, even though he was not invited. This again highlights the contempt that Government has for our problem. Paul Lucas didn’t even consider us worthy enough of acknowledgement.

This is totally intolerable and we should use this as ammunition, given there is an election in the wind.

I think we all should email Anna Bligh(premiers.master@premiers.qld.gov.au) , Phil Gray (gaven@parliament.qld.gov.au) and Paul Lucas (transport@ministerial.qld.gov.au) and tell them how disgusted we are at their arrogance.

(Earlier)

We are in the process of contacting our politicians to ascertain their position on the road surface issue. Their responses or lack of will be added to this webpage as soon as we get them.

We have twice emailed Margaret Keech MLA for Albert at her electoral office but to date has failed to acknowledge them.

David Jull federal member for Fadden has acknowledged our request, however we have yet to receive his statement.

Statement by Phil Gray MLA for Gaven

M1 Road Noise Statement

25 July 2007

In relation to road noise issues from the Pacific Motorway (M1):

1. The M1 road surface decision was made under a previous government by engineers in the Department of Main Roads (DMR).
2. Certain undertakings were given by the DMR to local residents at that time.
3. These undertakings were the subject of the Residents Against Increased Noise (RAIN) submission to the independent Ombudsman.
4. The independent Ombudsman has brought down his decision in relation to the RAIN submission.
5. The Ombudsman was critical of DMR undertakings at the time of the original decisions.
6. The Ombudsman’s Report listed 22 Recommendations, which the Beattie Government and I, as the State Member for Gaven, are committed to delivering.

I am no longer willing to meet with the RAIN Organisation. The central reason for this is that I am not comfortable with the behaviour of the RAIN leadership. Most residents and RAIN supporters do not act this way, and I am therefore more than happy to continue meeting with individual residents.

Road noise continues to be the most time consuming individual issue through my office. I am working on a number of fronts, including several individual constituent situations and pressing for timely implementation of the Ombudsman’s recommendations. While I have accepted the referee’s decision, I am continuing to work on the issue of road noise.

Yours Sincerely,

Phil Gray MP
State Member for Gaven

Statement by Alex Douglas prospective candidate for Fadden

Statement by Stuart Robert prospective candidate for Fadden

“It is disappointing that the Beattie Labor Government continues to ignore the pleas of local residents to have this section of the M1 resurfaced – especially knowing that their quality of life is being affected.

The Howard Government has committed a massive $4.8 billion to Queensland roads since it came to office. This money has gone directly to the Beattie Government. In addition, the Beattie Labor Government is getting an extra $8 billion in GST this year alone. So there are no excuses. It’s just not good enough that Peter Beattie and his Labor colleagues will not do the right thing and stand up for local residents.

I support local residents in their fight to have the M1 resurfaced by the State Government so they can retain their quality of life.”

Stuart Robert
Liberal Canbdidate for Fadden

Statement by Peter Young Councillor for Div 5.

Dear RAIN committee and members, and all residents affected by the M1
noise.

Thankyou for the opportunity to provide some words for your website. I
am certainly behind you in your ambition and have been from the very
outset. Whereas road noise from the Motorway is clearly a State issue I
provided some initial seed funding from the Divisional budget to enable
the creation of RAIN way back in 2002. I have to say I am sorry the road
noise is still a huge issue, and I urge you to continue with your
efforts.

I believe that the concrete surface of the M1 not only represents a
significant ongoing amenity problem, but also a huge danger to motorists
with the evident reduced vision in wet conditions. It is a great road in
many respects and represents a huge investment of taxpayer funds for the
benefit of hundreds of thousands if not millions of people. I support
you in your respectful struggle to seek the extra expenditure necessary
to make this road a friendly neighbour to many thousands of local
residents.

Yours

Peter Young
Councillor for Division 5

Statement by David Power, Councillor Division 2 and Deputy Mayor Gold Coast City:

"I believe that existing residents concerns regarding road noise from the M1 are legitimate and to date have not been sufficiently considered. Having known many of the residents involved in this issue and I am aware it is not in their nature to be political. Despite never having been a member of a political party, I do not believe that this is a Liberal Party inspired plot as has been claimed by some. As a long term resident of the corridor the increase in reflected noise due to the concrete pavement was patently obvious to me without the need to refer to scientific studies. Whilst the evolution of our city affects us all in some way, changed conditions for infrastructure that are based on economics rather than community outcomes should always be questioned and governments at all levels should strive to achieve the balance."