Palaszczuk Budget gears up for active transport

Dedicated bikeways and shared paths will be built across Queensland as part of the Palaszczuk Government's record $23 billion, four-year roads program.

Making the announcement with Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga at the site of the Tanby Road bike lane upgrade in Yeppoon, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said with more than 800,000 Queenslanders now getting on their bike each week, the Palaszczuk Government would dedicate $219 million over the next four years to build veloways, shared paths and bike trails throughout the state.

"The Palaszczuk Government is committed to supporting healthy lifestyles and creating jobs. This multi-million dollar program will complement major road projects like the $121 million Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade and $400 million Ipswich Motorway upgrade, which include dedicated bicycle infrastructure and are helping support more than 21,500 jobs," Mr Bailey said.

"More than $41 million has been secured to begin construction this year on projects including the Tanby Road bike lane upgrade, Paradise Road Cycleway in Logan, and the Dean Street shared path in Townsville.

"This is a win for all Queenslanders with every dollar invested in bike-riding infrastructure, reaping almost five dollars for the economy in return. Through our $219 million allocation over four years, Queenslanders and businesses will benefit from close to $1 billion in economic activity.

"The Palaszczuk Government's bike riding investment adds to work already underway on stages two and three of the North Brisbane Bikeway, the Brisbane Veloway, David Low Way Cycle Facility and O'Keefe Street overpass."

Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said the Palaszczuk Government would invest $2.9 million in its 2019/20 budget to build new bike lanes along Tanby Road at Yeppoon.

"The new Tanby Road bike path, will provide see more than 5.5km of bike lanes built from Taranganba Road to the Yeppoon Road roundabout," Ms Lauga said.

"We want to encourage more locals to ride their bike, and bring in cycling tourism, which means money for local businesses, restaurants and cafes."

Mr Bailey said across Queensland, local councils would also receive a boost in bicycle infrastructure funding thanks to $15.5 million in crucial grant funding for 58 new projects to be built over the next year.

"A further $11.7 million will also be allocated over the next two years to build off-road trails for bike riders, hikers and horse riders.

"The Palaszczuk Government has created a pipeline of major bike projects that alongside other road and transport projects is employing thousands of Queenslanders and building the infrastructure our state needs now and into the future.

"From Veloway 1 and the North Brisbane Bikeway to Bruce Highway upgrades from the Brisbane to Cairns, people are turning up to work on-site because the Palaszczuk Government backed these projects.

"This year's QTRIP outlines the future projects we believe need to be prioritised for Queenslanders."

Bicycle Queensland CEO Anne Savage welcomed the funding.

“With five dollars gained for every dollar spent on bikeways, these projects are set to deliver great value for money, strong public benefit, improved traffic flow, and better public health," Ms Savage said.

“Separated cycleways like the world-leading Veloway 1 are key to activating healthy travel across our great state.

“Bikeways offer excellent potential for powering our economy forward into a bold new travel future.

“Bikeways are essential to our economic prosperity and will position Queensland to achieve the vision of a healthy, safe, and sustainable transport economy, reducing congestion and promoting healthy urban development.

“We commend the State Government for its investment in community cycling and look forward to growing the number of Queenslanders cycling from 800,000 weekly to over one million.”

ENDS

Media Contact: Francis Dela Cruz - 0420 592 078