…. it is not big enough to make an active difference
Governments around the world spend a lot of money addressing the needs of their citizens for healthcare, shelter, transport and education while trying to protect the environment. But how many of these investments can simultaneously achieve significant health and wellbeing outcomes, step towards net zero emissions, deliver more sustainable, equitable transport and connect communities?
Yet when 113 councils in NSW called out for modest funding to do all this and more, only 47 councils received vital funds to help build active transport infrastructure for their communities.
Of the 320 applications submitted to the the 2025/26 Get NSW Active program, just 76 received grants. That’s a 24% success rate. As in 2024, three-quarters of eligible projects were not funded.
The successful projects for the 2025/26 Get NSW Active program were announced in May. Explore the interactive map here. The full list of projects is here (Image: Transport for NSW)
Many councils are left scratching their heads
In speaking to dozens of councils recently, none of whom wanted to be named, Bicycle NSW heard comments like:
- Our project included the same criteria as that successful bid, so we don’t understand why it wasn’t funded
- We didn’t submit a number of possible projects because we just knew they wouldn’t win, and the time and resources involved to complete an application aren’t worth it.
- How did another project receive so much funding when it services a handful of people while ours is a critical link and meets the needs of thousands of people?
So many shovel-ready projects were overlooked
This is not to say that Get NSW Active isn’t a fantastic grants program which achieves excellent results. It does, and it has been equally used by both sides of government to fund vital active transport infrastructure for 15 years.
It’s just that we have seen hardly any increase of the grants during those 15 years. It is beyond time for a substantial increase in both the size and the scope of the program.
This is why in this year’s NSW pre-budget submission, Bicycle NSW asked for just one thing, and that was simply to increase the Get NSW Active grants funding.
We want to ensure that dozens of great projects no longer miss out on essential funding.
And enable more councils to get on with the painstaking work of filling the gaps and reducing fragmentation in walking and cycling networks.
A $7.6 million Get NSW Active grant has assisted City of Parramatta with the delivery of separated pedestrian and cycling paths on Alfred St, Rosehill (Image: City of Parramatta).
With almost every council in NSW wavering between financial crisis and unsustainable financial viability, there is little to no chance these projects will be funded from a rate-paying base that is struggling to maintain roads and pick up rubbish.
Councils need help to do great work
As we have pointed out many times to NSW Government, strong and consistent support to councils is a very cost-effective and efficient way to rapidly expand active transport infrastructure.
“If the NSW Government is actually serious about health and wellbeing, sustainable transport, safety and targeting net zero emissions then it needs to invest much more in Get NSW Active,” said Peter McLean, Bicycle NSW CEO. “It gets amazing results despite being starved of funding.”
A shared path in regional Hay helps families get active (Image: VisitNSW)
Bicycle NSW commends the 76 successful projects but equally we empathise with many of the 244 unsuccessful projects. Many of these would be extremely valuable additions to the walking and cycling networks.
“Bicycle NSW will continue to highlight how the Get NSW Active grants are incredibly effective at delivering local active transport infrastructure,” said Peter McLean.
“We aren’t saying that grants shouldn’t be competitive, or that some projects won’t inevitably miss out or fail to meet the criteria. However, without a funding boost, the program fails to achieve anything like its real potential.”
Before you pedal away…
Bicycle NSW has been campaigning for a better environment for bike riding for almost 50 years. It is the only bicycle advocacy group based in NSW with full time staff advocating every day for all riders. But did you know that we are funded only by membership fees and donations?
Please join Bicycle NSW and support our advocacy for better infrastructure and safer streets. You will also ride easy, covered by our comprehensive insurance and enjoy many other Member-only benefits.
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