Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh

Thursday, May 22, 2008

URBAN CONGESTION TO BE TARGETED IN STATE BUDGET

In the upcoming State Budget the Queensland Government will target five key areas in the battle to ease urban congestion, Premier Anna Bligh revealed today.

Ms Bligh gave the sneak peek into Budget preparations at a Property Council function in Brisbane.

As well as a new plan of attack she highlighted two new initiatives worth $24.6 million.

“Congestion busting is one of our greatest challenges,” Ms Bligh said.

“Population growth has put enormous pressure on our infrastructure.

“We have kept pace by undertaking Australia’s largest building program in key areas such as water and roads.

“For example, this week we announced $4.8 Billion for the three projects contributing to the Airport Link solution.

“However the growth is showing no signs of easing with our population expected to crack
6 million within the next twenty years.

“That is why we have looked over the horizon to put in place plans that will help us manage growth in the future.”

Ms Bligh said State Cabinet had approved a Strategy to attack congestion on 5 fronts:

• Building capacity for growth - new roads and new infrastructure;
• Efficiency- working smarter to improve our existing network;
• Land use and planning – using available land to make our journeys shorter and easier;
• Travel Options – better public transport, cycling and pedestrian services – greater options and greater frequency; and
• Travel Demand – smarter ways to move commuters.

Ms Bligh said further details on all of the areas would be provided in the Budget but revealed details on two separate initiatives.

“In the area of travel demand management we will provide $22.6 million over four years to expand the TravelSmart Program,” she said.

“TravelSmart is a demand management strategy that encourages people to walk, cycle and take public transport instead of driving.

“It is about education and information and makes people aware of their travel patterns and choices.

“From the trial of 75,000 homes in the northern suburbs we found a decreased use of cars – around 80 fewer trips per person per year. There was also an increased use of public transport – around 18 trips per person per year – and increases in cycling and walking – up to 7 trips and 40 trips per person per year respectively.

“By expanding this trial to the region we expect we could reduce the distance traveled by people in cars by at least 10% in south east Queensland and reduce transport- related greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 500,000 tonnes per year.”

Ms Bligh also revealed $2 million would be provided in the Budget to provide end of trip facilities for government employees.

“We want to encourage as many of our workers as possible to pound the pavement or cycle to and from work,” Ms Bligh said.

“To make it a more viable option our workers need access to facilities where they can park their bike, change clothes and freshen up.

“The money we have allocated in the Budget will provide these facilities at 80 George Street and the Neville Bonner building in the City and include bike storage, shower and laundry facilities.

“In addition we will also look at a private sector partner to develop another facility, possibly in the Creek Street precinct, for public use.”



22 May, 2008
Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500

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