Bicycle NSW is pleased to see the current government trying to compete with the opposition on budget promises for active transport infrastructure if elected.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance MP promised to more than double active transport spending over five years to over $600 million. This is made up of $330 million for active transport, $285 million for paths through South West Metro and other infrastructure projects.
Specific projects highlighted for delivery include a cycleway along the northern edge of Centennial Park in Sydney and the Sutherland to Cronulla Active Transport Link in the Sutherland Shire.
$600 million over five years amounts to an additional $17 million per year compared with Labor’s promise last weekend of $412 million over 4 years. However Shadow Transport Minister Jodi McKay MP pointed out that the government figures include cycling and walking paths that form part of major infrastructure projects.
Rail and road building projects must include paths to be functional, or nobody can use them. Labor said their funding promise does not include paths that form part of these projects, and represents $82 million more invested in walking and cycling.
This comes against a backdrop of the Greens’ call for funding of the Newcastle CycleSafe Network Labor’s promise of $7 million to get more children walking and cycling to school, and campaigns to highlight unsafe or broken infrastructure, and places where investment in safe cycling has been sabotaged.
“We are seeing an unprecedented level of attention paid to making NSW better for bike riding,” said General Manager of Public Affairs, Bastien Wallace.
“Across NSW everyone is sick of poor infrastructure for walking and cycling. They are sick of congestion and pollution, and they are showing us, their MP’s and electoral candidates what concerns them most,” said Bastien.
Bicycle NSW encourages people to get in touch with local candidates to discuss their issues, and provides resources to support them in their efforts.
“We are grateful for everyone’s efforts to date, our members, Bicycle User Groups, local clubs and activists. Keep going, you're having an impact,” said Bastien.
