More money wasted on plans for failed bus station project

Derelict shop-fronts in central Maroochydore stand idle in place of a key piece of transport infrastructure due to the Bligh Labor Government’s poor planning and cost blow-outs.
Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson is calling on the Government to come clean on how much extra money is being spent on further planning for the Maroochydore bus station project, which was supposed to be built by the end of 2011.
“I’m concerned the Government is stalling on this project and is wasting more money while empty shops are falling into disrepair,” Ms Simpson said.
“Businesses were closed down over a year ago when the Government moved tenants out from the affected buildings as part of land resumptions for this project.” Ms Simpson said.
“The empty buildings have been sitting idle for months and are a depressing reminder that work hasn’t even started yet.”
“Only last month the Minister revealed they’ve gone back to the drawing board, this is despite glossy brochures being distributed by the Government a year ago saying the design work would be done last year.”
“This means more money is being spent on yet another planning and design process – this is a bungle. Are they normally in the habit of resuming properties and then doing the design – again?! Shops sit empty and construction workers are desperate for work closer to home while this Government can’t even get a bus station design right.”
“I am calling on the Minister to come clean on the cost blow-outs for this project and how they bought out and emptied shops without having done the planning right in the first place.”
“I will keep pursuing this Labor Government to deliver on it’s promises for Sunshine Coast residents,” Ms Simpson said.