The Western Australian Government is committing $9.6 million to support 47 new active transport projects across the state, much to the pleasure of the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA).
37 councils will benefit from the Western Australia Bicycle Network grants, which will enable more than 38km of paths to be laid over the next two years, with the funding split roughly evenly between metropolitan and regional local governments.
Many councils have developed bike plans reflecting the importance of cycling and active transport in their communities, with the bike path grants to play a pivotal role in delivering the objectives of these plans.
WALGA President, Karen Chappel, said with the number of children walking or riding to school declining by 50 per cent in the past four decades, it is important all spheres of government work together to make communities as pedestrian and cycle-friendly as they can be.
“WALGA will this year lead consultation with local governments to identify local challenges, amend and develop new planning guidelines with a view to tackling issues such as pedestrian connectivity, parking demand, road safety and public transport access,” Ms Chappel said.
“This will support the important work the Department of Transport is doing in collaboration with other agencies to encourage more people to leave the car at home.”
WALGA as a member of the Active Travel to School Working Group is a strong advocate for measures which will support more West Australians, particularly children, to get outside and walk or ride to their destinations.
