LNP MP Andrew Laming has accused Labor MP Mick de Brenni of pork barrelling over roadworks near Mount Cotton State School.
Mr Laming made the comments as work got under way to install lights and a pedestrian crossing at the Mount Cotton and Seaview roads intersection opposite the school.
The lights are about 150 metres from a set put up at the Mount Cotton Road and Sanctuary Drive intersection, following a pre-election promise by Mr de Brenni, who win the Springwood seat in the state election.
In response, Mr de Brenni said the works complemented the earlier upgrade. “One hundred per cent of the road upgrades in the area are based on two things: advice of experts and the views of locals,” Mr de Brenni said.
“… My job has been to secure the state government investment to get it done, just as we are doing with schools, hospitals and clubs across the area.”
Mr Laming said Mr de Brenni had failed to consult council and master-plan the right decision. “This is a case of Mike de Brenni trying to get Mount Cotton votes before the election rather than coming up with a long-term solution that was right,” Mr Laming said.
“It’s a pre-election sugar-hit that will leave the suburb with a lingering hangover. There was an urgent need to upgrade the intersection but with proper master-planning, some land may have been able to be resumed, for example, resulting in one intersection and one effective set of traffic lights.”
Mr Laming said the two sets would create problems.
“This has cost the community twice as much as it should have and will lead to further problems...
“I encourage Mr de Brenni – as an MP who is not from Redlands – to better understand community concerns and to be part of conversations with other levels of government instead of putting his political future before everyone else.”
Mr de Brenni said the safety was a priority. “These much needed and vital upgrades are part of overall improvements to the school precinct including lights, road widening, sports facilities and a full school master plan in the works,” he said.
“The LNP are fond of complaining about the Palaszczuk government but always seem to come up short when it comes to funding its share to Queensland schools, hospitals and roads.
“Remember the LNP’s grand plan is to turn this area into a second M1 which has been rejected loud and clear by locals.”
