Cycling and walking grants to encourage active transport

• The Miles Government has awarded over $6.5 million in local council grants to support the delivery of new bike riding networks and walking network planning over the next two years.
• The grants have been provided through the popular Cycle Network Local Government Grants and Walking Local Government Grants programs.
• The investment in active transport is part of the record $37.4 billion Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) 2024-25 to 2027-28 as part of the state budget.

The Miles Government has awarded over $6.5 million to 21 local governments to support the delivery of priority bike riding routes and walking network planning over the next two years.

This funding – through Cycle Network Local Government Grants and Walking Local Government Grants programs – will go towards 31 new bike riding projects and 16 new walking projects, including shared paths, crossings as well as planning.

The projects will plan and deliver key active transport links such as bike routes and prepare walking network plans around key destinations like schools, public transport and town centres from the Gold Coast to Torres Shire in far north Queensland.

The $6.5 million local government grant investment builds on the $12.45 million already committed to projects underway with local governments.

The State Government has awarded $144 million to local governments since 2015, including $128 million for construction projects to support delivery of 201 kilometres of local government active transport network.

Cycle Network Local Government Grants and Walking Local Government Grants projects are generally funded on a matched 50:50 basis with local governments.

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

“Queenslanders deserve world class active transport facilities.

"Every person who rides a bike or walks to work, school, to socialise or to go to the shops means less traffic, 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.

"This round of funding will go towards 31 new cycling projects and 16 new walking projects from the Gold Coast in the south all the way to up to Torres Shire in the far north, including shared paths, active transport crossings and for projects to progress in planning."

“More Queenslanders want to ride and walk. These grants will help plan and deliver the infrastructure needed for them to reach their destination safely and efficiently and support our growing state.”

Further information:

For a list of successful grant recipients for the 2024-25 Cycle Network Local Government Grants program, visit: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/travel-and-transport/cycling/cycling-grants/cycling-infrastructure-grants.

For a list of successful grant recipients for the 2024-25 Walking Local Government Grants program, visit: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/travel-and-transport/pedestrians-and-walking/walking-local-government-grants.

Recipients of 2024-25 Cycle Network Local Government Grants include:

• Brisbane City Council
• Bundaberg Regional Council
• Central Highlands Regional Council
• Fraser Coast Regional Council
• Gladstone Regional Council
• Gold Coast City Council
• Goondiwindi Regional Council
• Livingstone Shire Council
• Logan City Council
• Longreach Regional Council
• Mackay Regional Council
• Moreton Bay City Council
• Somerset Regional Council
• Sunshine Coast Regional Council
• Toowoomba Regional Council
• Torres Shire Council.

Recipients of 2024-25 Walking Local Government Grants include:

• Balonne Shire Council
• Brisbane City Council
• Croydon Shire Council
• Gold Coast City Council
• Goondiwindi Regional Council
• Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council
• Livingstone Shire Council
• Sunshine Coast Regional Council
• Toowoomba Regional Council
• Weipa Town Authority
• Winton Shire Council.

ENDS

Media contact: James Kleeman – 0466 620 176