Queensland bike riders riding high on Palaszczuk Government funding bonanza

Published Thursday, 21 June, 2018 at 01:30 PM

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

The Palaszczuk Government will invest over $67.5 million into the design and construction of high-priority bike riding infrastructure across Queensland in 2018-19 and $240 million over four years to boost Queensland’s bike riding culture.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said investment in safer bike riding infrastructure would help people to enjoy active and healthy travel.

He said Queensland’s landscape had changed since the Palaszczuk Government came to power, with dozens of big ticket bike riding projects under construction or completed.

“Unlike the LNP, who believe bike riding infrastructure is “gold plating”, Labor knows we get bang for buck when make bike riding safer in Queensland,” Mr Bailey said.

“We also know that, on average, every dollar we invest in bike riding infrastructure will return nearly five dollars in economic benefit to Queensland with improved health outcomes, reduced traffic congestion, and lower transport costs.

“Our investments in bike riding infrastructure is targeted at the highest priority bike riding routes across the state as identified in Principal Cycle Network Plans (PCNPs). These plans were developed in close collaboration with local governments and provide a solid basis for the state and local governments to work together to make bike riding conditions better for all Queenslanders.

“We understand the importance of stakeholder insight and remain committed to continuing to work with the bike riding community, including through the Queensland Cycling Advisory Group, to deliver our active transport election commitments.”

State network

Over $37 million will be invested into bike riding infrastructure on the state-controlled transport network in 2018-19, and more than $125 million over four years. Major new projects that will commence in 2018-19 include:

  • Veloway 1 Stage E near Holland Park in Brisbane
  • New England Highway Cycleway in Toowoomba

“We are also continuing our commitment to invest in the delivery of critical ongoing projects such as the North Brisbane Bikeway and the Ron Camm Bridges Cycleway in Mackay.” Mr Bailey said.

Local government grants

Over $14 million will support 29 local governments across Queensland to deliver 56 new cycling projects on local networks through the Cycle Network Local Government Grants program 2018-19 funding round. New projects include:

  •          Captain Cook Drive Shared Path Construction at Seventeen Seventy ($455,520 grant)
  •          Thursday Island Shared Path Stage 3 Construction ($693,361 grant)
  •          Slacks Creek Shared Path (Springwood) Design and Construction in Logan ($827,363 grant)
  •          Dunne Road Connection Path Design and Construction in Cairns ($1 million grant)

Bikeway maintenance

There is $8.9 million provided over four years to deliver programmed maintenance and rehabilitation of off-road bikeways on the state controlled transport network.

“Busy bike riding links such as the Veloway 1 and Centenary Cycleway allow thousands of people to choose bike riding over driving, reducing congestion on our roads. It is important that we invest in the maintenance of these links to encourage even more people to ride,” Mr Bailey said.

Rail Trails

There is $14 million allocated to support local governments to develop trails for bike riding, walking and horse riding on disused state-owned rail corridors.

“Rail trails support active, healthy lifestyles, allow for the innovative use of disused state-owned infrastructure, and contribute to environmental preservation and management,” Mr Bailey said. “We have an extensive network of disused railway corridors and it is government policy to retain them for future transport use."

Councils will be able to use the funding to plan, design and construct rail trails. A co-contribution from councils will be required for construction projects.

“I have written to Mayors with potential rail trail projects seeking expression of interest in accessing this exciting new program,” Mr Bailey said.

For more information on cycling in Queensland, including the Queensland Cycling Strategy 2017-27 and the PNCPs visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/cycling.

ENDS

Media contact: Dominic Geiger, 0447 355 565