Councils and community organisations will benefit from a $2.5 million Brumby Government boost to improve local access and walking and cycling facilities, Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas announced today.
The funding, provided through the Brumby Government’s TravelSmart and Local Area Access Program (LAAP) grants will enable 16 Councils and two universities to implement sustainable travel plans and deliver infrastructure projects.
Mr Pallas said the Brumby Government was taking action to address congestion and encourage sustainable transport options.
“This program was established to support access to walking, cycling and public transport facilities,” Mr Pallas said. “This program was established to support access to walking, cycling and public transport facilities.”
“Councils and universities funded through the program have put forward innovative and practical projects that will improve access and liveability.
“Our main goal is to change people’s behaviour and reduce our dependence on cars. The benefits are numerous, including less traffic congestion, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a more physically fit community.”
The focus of this round of grants was projects that encouraged existing car users to switch to more sustainable transport modes, and converting short car trips into walking, cycling or public transport travel.
Projects include improved walking and cycling paths, better linkages with public transport, better end of trip facilities such as bike storage and change rooms, and the development of travel plans to encourage sustainable transport modes within schools, organisations and municipalities.
Mr Pallas said that to date, the grants package had delivered over $5.2 million in funding to more than 50 local projects across the state.
“The Brumby Government has allocated $29.8 million to extend the TravelSmart program over 10 years, and $16 million for the Local Area Access Program over four years,” Mr Pallas said.
Today’s funding boost coincides with the release of the Department of Transport’s Walking and Cycling: Census Analysis which shows that cycling is more popular than ever.
Between 1996 and 2006 the growth in cycling was over and above the growth in employment which indicates a shift in the mode of transport used for commuting towards cycling.
Mr Pallas said this new data shows that the number of people choosing to leave their cars at home and use leg power to get to work has increased.
For information on TravelSmart and LAAP visit www.travelsmart.vic.gov.au and for the Walking and Cycling Analysis, visit www.transport.vic.gov.au