The ACT Greens have welcomed the Federal Government’s $2.25 million commitment to road safety in the ACT, announced earlier this week, but say more needs to be done. They want the Commonwealth to commit 20 per cent of the roads budget to active transport, as the ACT Government has done.
On Tuesday, Liberal Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja announced construction work would soon begin on improvements for cyclist safety along Cotter Road and the Belconnen Bikeway along Hayden Drive, and a new safety barrier along Brindabella Road. The projects would be completed by mid-2022.
Jo Clay MLA, ACT Greens spokesperson for Active Travel, said she welcomed the federal funding announcement, because it contained money for active transport.
“But $2.25 million is a tiny amount compared to the $1.2 billion the Federal Government has spent on roads since 2013,” Ms Clay said. “That’s less than 1 per cent spent on active transport. The priorities of the Federal Government are out of step with what is happening on a local level here in Canberra and what our community has asked for and needs.”
Tim Hollo, Greens candidate for Canberra, said: “Thank goodness the Federal Government has noticed that active travel exists, but this announcement of the scraps from the table while old roads get a never-ending feast is almost more offensive than being ignored.
“If the Federal Government is serious about getting more people into active transport, they should get serious about funding it. They should match the ACT’s local commitment, delivered by Greens working with Labor for better, faster outcomes, and increase their active transport funding so that it’s at least 20 per cent of what they put into roads.”
Under the 10th Assembly Parliamentary and Governing Agreement, the ACT Government will roll out an active travel plan, including constructing an off-road shared path along Sulwood Drive, constructing the Garden City cycle route, and extending the Belconnen bikeway.
“The ACT Greens want to create a sustainable, connected city,” Ms Clay said. “More roads means more cars, and that means more congestion. We need to encourage people to get out of their cars and into green alternatives, like cycling, scooting, and walking. To do that, we need to take active travel seriously by properly funding the necessary infrastructure.
“Many people don’t feel safe walking or riding on roads. We need more separate paths that are well maintained.
“Active transport is good for the individual, the environment and the community. It’s an affordable solution to driving a car, and it’s time the federal government realised that.”
