New $6.1 million cycleway for Cairns

Premier Anna Bligh has announced funding for a dedicated $6.1 million cycleway from Aeroglen to the Cairns Central Business District.

The Premier and Minister for Transport John Mickel said the 6.5km bikeway would be built with 75 percent State Government funding and a 25 percent contribution from the Cairns Regional Council.

Ms Bligh said designs would be completed in March next year with construction to start soon afterwards. The project is expected to be completed by late 2009.

“This is the first of many projects to be delivered in co-operation with local government to implement the Principal Cycle Network Plan for Far North Queensland,” Ms Bligh said.

“Toward Q2 targets a one third reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and reducing private vehicle use is a major part of that.

“But research shows that in Cairns less people are cycling to work with numbers declining from 3.7 percent in 2001 to 3 percent in 2006.

“That’s why we are building this bikeway to provide a safe and convenient cycling option to encourage everyone to get on their bike.”

The bikeway is expected to run parallel to McLeod Street through the CBD and then follow the existing path along Saltwater Creek to Aeroglen Drive, linking with the Captain Cook Highway at the General Aviation intersection.

It will be a 4m wide two-way route with a raised median separating cyclists from traffic.

“More than 35 per cent of Cairns jobs can be accessed from this corridor and half of all cycle crashes in Cairns currently occur along this route,” said the Premier.

“The cycleway will provide a safe route for commuters to workplaces, to the city’s language schools and to shopping and recreational facilities such as the Botanic Gardens and Cairns Central.”

Ms Bligh said the Cairns Central Business District to Aeroglen bikeway was the top priority in the Principal Cycle Network Plan for Far North Queensland.

“This Principal Cycle Network Plan for Far North Queensland has been developed over the last year in close consultation with local government and community groups,” she said.

Transport Minister John Mickel said that eight community workshops were held in Innisfail, Cairns, Mossman and Atherton to seek expert advice from local cyclists.

“The maps have now been finalised and these maps will help guide both State and local government to deliver a safe, connected cycle network across the region,” he said.

The concept designs for the 10 highest priority routes are now being developed.

The highest priorities include routes in Cairns City, Cairns Northern Beaches, Mount Peter, Innisfail, Mission Beach, Atherton, Tolga, Mareeba, Mossman and Port Douglas.

“The final plan, including network maps, concept designs and an implementation plan will be released in March 2009,” Mr Mickel said.

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