❓ Opposition questions the Minister for Transport about the lack of an integrated transport plan following a critical Auditor General's report on cycling infrastructure. The Minister defends the government's investment and planning efforts, acknowledging areas for improvement.
AnsweredQoN 829Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE — AUDITOR GENERAL'S
REPORT
829. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the Minister for
Transport:
I refer to the Auditor General's
damning report on cycling infrastructure released today, and in particular his
claim that the government's transport planning framework is not
finalised and until the strategic plan is complete, investments in cycling will
be made in isolation of other transport options. When will the minister be
releasing an integrated, coordinated transport plan?
REPORT
829. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the Minister for
Transport:
I refer to the Auditor General's
damning report on cycling infrastructure released today, and in particular his
claim that the government's transport planning framework is not
finalised and until the strategic plan is complete, investments in cycling will
be made in isolation of other transport options. When will the minister be
releasing an integrated, coordinated transport plan?
AnswerView source ↗
Since this government came into
office back in 2008, we have spent in excess of $113 million on cycling
infrastructure—around double what was spent by the previous Labor
government.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
D.C. NALDER : We acknowledge that a lot of work needs to be done in cycling
infrastructure and we are doing it. There are a number of processes as part of
that. I was invited across to the Netherlands. I did not go but I requested
that staff from my department attend. In return we invited consultants out from
the Netherlands to assist us in our planning and how we should think forward
regarding cycling infrastructure and safety for cyclists.
There are a number of principal
shared paths around our network. One of the commitments we have made is that
every time we undertake some serious infrastructure, such as the Gateway WA
project, we will undertake cycling infrastructure with that and make sure that
we build new paths. In fact, on Sunday morning at 6.30 the director general and
I, together with the head of Bicycling Western Australia, went out and rode
across the 21 new kilometres of principal shared paths to actually understand
how they work. We identified some shortcomings in what we are doing, but I tell
you what: we are improving a lot. It was fantastic to see the member for
Cockburn in his lycra this morning in the CBD.
Mr
F.M. Logan : A stunning sight!
Mr
D.C. NALDER : It was fantastic to see him in lycra!
Mr
R.H. Cook : You have to tell the truth in this place!
Mr
D.C. NALDER : Sorry, member, I was misleading Parliament, I think,
suggesting that!
There is Ride2Work, and it is great
to see that more and more people are taking up cycling. We have one of the
highest participation rates of cycling in Australia, alongside the Australian
Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. We are making serious
consideration of and serious investments in cycling; we have outlined another
$72 million over the next four years. In addition to that—I have talked
about this many times in the house—I have asked the department for
long-term planning around all our infrastructure requirements to ensure that it
is integrated.
I would like to table a map of our
cycling infrastructure that shows the major projects that are underway, the
cycling paths that are in place at this time and the works that are planned to
be undertaken over the next four years. I table this map as a vision of what
this government is undertaking and the responsibility it is taking to ensure
better cycling infrastructure in Western Australia.
[See paper 3514.]
Mr
D.C. NALDER : The Auditor General has made some findings. We acknowledge and
accept those findings. We understand that we can improve, but we have made
great strides from where we have come to make cycling better in Western
Australia.
office back in 2008, we have spent in excess of $113 million on cycling
infrastructure—around double what was spent by the previous Labor
government.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
D.C. NALDER : We acknowledge that a lot of work needs to be done in cycling
infrastructure and we are doing it. There are a number of processes as part of
that. I was invited across to the Netherlands. I did not go but I requested
that staff from my department attend. In return we invited consultants out from
the Netherlands to assist us in our planning and how we should think forward
regarding cycling infrastructure and safety for cyclists.
There are a number of principal
shared paths around our network. One of the commitments we have made is that
every time we undertake some serious infrastructure, such as the Gateway WA
project, we will undertake cycling infrastructure with that and make sure that
we build new paths. In fact, on Sunday morning at 6.30 the director general and
I, together with the head of Bicycling Western Australia, went out and rode
across the 21 new kilometres of principal shared paths to actually understand
how they work. We identified some shortcomings in what we are doing, but I tell
you what: we are improving a lot. It was fantastic to see the member for
Cockburn in his lycra this morning in the CBD.
Mr
F.M. Logan : A stunning sight!
Mr
D.C. NALDER : It was fantastic to see him in lycra!
Mr
R.H. Cook : You have to tell the truth in this place!
Mr
D.C. NALDER : Sorry, member, I was misleading Parliament, I think,
suggesting that!
There is Ride2Work, and it is great
to see that more and more people are taking up cycling. We have one of the
highest participation rates of cycling in Australia, alongside the Australian
Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. We are making serious
consideration of and serious investments in cycling; we have outlined another
$72 million over the next four years. In addition to that—I have talked
about this many times in the house—I have asked the department for
long-term planning around all our infrastructure requirements to ensure that it
is integrated.
I would like to table a map of our
cycling infrastructure that shows the major projects that are underway, the
cycling paths that are in place at this time and the works that are planned to
be undertaken over the next four years. I table this map as a vision of what
this government is undertaking and the responsibility it is taking to ensure
better cycling infrastructure in Western Australia.
[See paper 3514.]
Mr
D.C. NALDER : The Auditor General has made some findings. We acknowledge and
accept those findings. We understand that we can improve, but we have made
great strides from where we have come to make cycling better in Western
Australia.
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