The federal government's active transport fund has opened for business, inviting infrastructure applications from around Australia.
The fund will contribute up to $5 million per project to construct new or upgrade existing bicycle and walking paths and is open to all state and territory governments and local government authorities.
All projects approved require a co-contribution from the proponent and/or other source and must be secured prior to submitting the application.
Applications will be assessed on merit and must meet at least one of the focus areas of the program: improving road safety for cyclists and pedestrians, reducing transport emissions, and supporting active and liveable communities.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, says applications should outline how project outcomes address the focus area and relevant target area.
Supporting evidence demonstrating how the project directly addresses a focus area must be provided, including:
- Safety plans, road safety audits and infrastructure asset reports
- Existing Net Zero plans or strategies
- Analysis that shows the project will increase bike rider or pedestrian numbers, increase use of public transport or remove cars from roads
- Active Transport Strategies
- Urban Strategies to connect communities and increase liveability.
Examples of supporting documentation or evidence is varied and can include a structural report of the asset, detailed risk assessment, preliminary design for construction, project plan, council plans identifying the project need, road safety audit or consultation summaries with impacted stakeholders.
Eligible projects must be on a publicly owned road asset or corridor that is accessible to the public and be a whole and complete project (not reliant on other works).
"We’ve heard Australians call for more sustainable and lower cost travel options to get to school, work and local services," Minister King says.
"We also know that Australians want safer and more accessible pathways to better connect communities.
"We’re answering those calls, developing this fund to enable states, territories and local governments to deliver projects that will support liveable and healthy communities.
"I encourage individuals to get involved and speak to their local or state government about pedestrian or cycle paths they’d like to see, and I encourage any interested state, territory or local governments to apply."
Applications close on 13 January 2025. The guidelines are available here:
https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/atf-program-guidelines.pdf
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