2022-02-24
Jo Clay MLA and Tim Hollo have responded to an announcement by the federal government committing $2.25 million to active travel in the ACT.
“The ACT Greens want to create a sustainable, connected city. 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,” said Jo Clay MLA, ACT Greens spokesperson for Active Travel.
“Many people don’t feel safe walking or riding on roads. We need more separate paths that are well maintained.
“Here in Canberra, the ACT Greens worked hard over several years to commit significant funds to active transport. In the last election we pushed for the ACT to commit 20% of the roads budget to active transport and this is now reflected in the 10th Assembly Parliamentary and Governing Agreement. We want the Federal Government to do the same.
“I welcome Tuesday’s federal funding announcement because it contains 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. That’s less than 1% 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.
“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.”
Greens candidate for Canberra, Tim Hollo, 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% of what they put into roads.”