<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="http://www.9news.com.au/gold-coast" rel="" target="" title="Gold Coast"><span>Gold Coast</span></a><span> commuters, already facing significant delays on the M1, are now confronted with concerns that the project, intended to alleviate congestion, could be subject to tolls.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The prospect of toll charges on the Coomera Connector has emerged following recent law changes, sparking debate between the council, state government and the opposition.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government insists the legislation amendments are only administrative changes designed to stop a loophole concerning trucks using the Logan Motorway, but the opposition claims they open the door to tolls on the Coomera Connector.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/tasmania-news-police-officer-hurt-reported-shooting-north-motton/8f60ae28-e15e-442f-9756-171f22b7d1bc" target="_blank"><strong><span>Police officer killed in shooting at rural Tasmania property</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We need more infrastructure on the Gold Coast, but Gold Coasters shouldn't be slugged tolls to pay for infrastructure," Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This is a concern Gold Coasters should have and if the LNP were legitimate, they shouldn't have snuck these laws in in the middle of the night."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said the legislative changes are purely administrative.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/coomera-connector-gold-coast-second-m1-could-be-toll-road-queensland-transport-news/2a394021-a1fd-4ab5-8f72-f136472ef9ac" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They relate to one specific provision," he said, accusing the opposition of engaging in "a scare campaign for pathetic political purposes".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector project, valued at $3 billion, aims to create a second M1 between Coomera and Nerang, with sections scheduled to open later this year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Both major parties have publicly stated their opposition to tolling the new motorway, however Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate is willing to consider tolls if it means the project is expanded to six lanes, instead of four.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We don't want to build just four lanes and then, at the blink of an eye, there's a traffic jam already," Tate said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The mayor intends to formally request that Mickelberg considers widening the motorway, potentially financed through toll revenue.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of</span></em><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>