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RACQ head of public policy Dr Michael Kane says tunnels are the long-term solution for Brisbane’s congested northside.

His comments came after a debate over a possible tunnel deteriorated into a political squabble between Bailey and Schrinner.

The former Morrison government awarded $10 million for a council-led study into the future of the North West Transport Corridor.

It led to a report in August 2022 proposing anunderground motorway orunderground railway,both of which were immediately rejected by Bailey,who claimed the government was never invited to take part in the study.

The council decided a tunnel was the only option as the corridor was too hemmed in by residential and environmental areas for a motorway.

Kane agreed,saying that “longer term,the solution needs to be tunnels for public transport for rail and for road”.

“It doesn’t make sense to put the road on the surface – I don’t think anybody thinks that is a good idea,” he said.

But Infrastructure Australia rejected the tunnel proposal because above-ground options were not thoroughly investigated first.

In the political fallout on Wednesday,the only thing Schrinner and Bailey could agree on was that northside commuters were still missing out.

The Brisbane City Council invoice sent to Queensland Transport in December 2022.

After Bailey said the council had wasted $10 million,Schrinner produced documents showing the federal funds had actually been transferred to the state government,which kept more than $7.62 million.

On December 15 last year,council invoiced the Queensland Transport Department for the outstanding $7.62 million,which was due in April that year.

Bailey claimed to be unaware of the unpaid invoice and suggested Schrinner write to him directly.

And while Bailey had long claimed not to have had the chance to take part in the study,a letter emerged showing council asked his department to participate in 2019.

Bailey’s spokesman later clarified that the invitation was rejected because the department,which would have primary responsibility for any road or tunnel,was not allowed to take the lead.

Moreton Bay Regional Council on Wednesday confirmed its planning officers were involved in a “stakeholder group” as part of the project.

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