Budget backs active transport with $315 million investment

• The Miles Government is investing $315 million over four years to expand cycling and walking paths.
• The investment forms part of the $37.4 billion Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2024-25 to 2027-28 (QTRIP), which includes key projects like a velobridge in Greenslopes and Riverwalk expansion at Kangaroo Point.
• This investment promises significant economic benefits, with nearly five dollars returned for every dollar spent on bike infrastructure and $13 for walking infrastructure, enhancing health, reducing congestion, and lowering transport costs.

To encourage more Queenslanders to leave their cars at home, the Miles Government has committed $315 million over the next four years to expand the network of cycling and walking paths across Queensland.

This investment in active transport is part of the record $37.4 billion Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2024-25 to 2027-28 (QTRIP), announced following the State Budget.

Every dollar invested in bike riding infrastructure returns nearly five dollars in economic benefits to Queensland, through improved health outcomes, reduced traffic congestion, and lower transport costs.

Investment in walking infrastructure is even more beneficial, with a return of 13 dollars for every dollar spent.

Notable active transport projects in QTRIP include:

• $36.1 million velobridge over Birdwood Road on the Veloway 1 in Greenslopes.
• $22.5 million Queensland Government funding to fill gaps on the popular Riverwalk at Kangaroo Point, creating an unbroken bike and pedestrian path linking Kangaroo Point and Mowbray Park.
• $41.5 million for the Cairns Southern Access Cycleway (jointly funded with the Australian Government).
• $20 million for a cycleway as part of Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3, from Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads (jointly funded with Gold Coast City Council).
• $10.4 million for improvements to active transport on Moggill Road from the Centenary Motorway to Chapel Hill Road.
• $9.6 million Queensland Government funding for upgrades to develop a network of bike-friendly streets in South Brisbane, West End, and Highgate Hill.
• $9.4 million towards stage 2 of the New England Highway Bikeway, from Highfields to Toowoomba.

These infrastructure commitments are complemented by initiatives focused on bike riding and walking education, behaviour change, safety improvement, economic stimulation through active transport, and the use of research and data to inform decision-making.

Quotes attributable to the Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish:

"Every person who rides a bike or walks to work, school, to socialise or to go to the shops means less traffic and less pollution, and can also mean savings on transport costs.

“It’s not only cheaper than using a car but it’s much better for your health and we think Queenslanders deserve world class active transport facilities.”

Quotes from Bicycle Queensland Director of Advocacy Andrew Demack:

“Bicycle Queensland members and the 800,000 Queenslanders who regularly ride a bike all welcome this announcement from the Minister.

“Building bikeways is great value for money for Queensland towns and cities, and we’re keen to see connected, high-quality bikeways built that give people the chance to get to their destinations safely while building their fitness and reducing congestion and carbon emissions.”

Quotes from Queensland Walks CEO Anna Campbell:

"Queensland Walks welcomes investment into walking infrastructure and supporting walking programs, and we encourage government to invest further so that kids can walk safely to school, Queenslanders to work, and to local conveniences.

“With a return of $13 for every $1 invested, Queensland Walks knows that walking infrastructure is a great investment into our future.

“Providing connected and safer pathways which encourages more Queenslanders to walk, roll and stroll just makes sense for the economic, social, health and the well-being of our state. "

ENDS

Media contact – Minister Mellish’s office – 0466 620 176