The ACT Greens will use this week in Parliament to drive action from the ACT Government to deliver their active travel network, focusing on West Belconnen where paths are either missing entirely or incomplete and unsafe.
ACT Greens Deputy Leader Jo Clay said the party has been hearing from people all over Canberra who want to travel by riding, walking and taking public transport, but are facing too many incomplete pathways, missing connections and dangerous conditions.
On Wednesday Ms Clay will call on the ACT Labor Government to consult with the community and conduct a feasibility study into how they will deliver the West Belconnen Active Travel Network and review how they'll deliver the territory-wide plan.
"People want choice, but the way our city is currently designed we don't have that. The ACT Government knows this which is why they have an Active Travel Plan-so now we have all these routes planned, but no clarity on how it will be delivered by 2030.
"Canberra is better with bikes. We need wide connected footpaths-not paint lines next to the road-that everyone can use. When done well, paths like this deliver traffic calming measures to make our streets safer for everyone.
"A good path and public transport network keeps people physically and mentally healthier. It makes it easy to walk down to the shops, ride to school or work and spend time outdoors. It also reduces noise and air pollution.
"Weeks ago, the Labor Climate Minister said the ACT will not meet its legislated emissions reduction target and that we're off track to achieve net zero by 2045. Transport continues to be the ACT's biggest polluter, making up over 60% of our emissions.
"It's a no brainer that delivering the paths, connections and infrastructure people need to ride or walk around will reduce our overall emissions. But right now we don't have that option in West Belconnen for people to ride into work, school or down to the shops.
"West Belconnen is rapidly growing, and our pathways and active travel connections were already poor. We need better public infrastructure in this part of Canberra.
"That's why the ACT Government must work with the community to identify the priorities in this plan-given Labor's budget blowout-how they will do it, and when."
The motion will also call on the ACT Government to transparently record how much funding has been allocated to deliver the Active Travel Plan 2024-30 and how much has been spent per financial year in annual reports.
As stated by Canberra By Bike Founder, Paris Lord:
"We're pleased to support this latest effort to get people in Belconnen the infrastructure that enables more choices in how people get around their neighbourhoods.
"Locals tell us they want to be able to walk or roll to their local shops for groceries or medical appointments, or feel safe to let their children ride with their friends.
"Fusing missing links and calming our streets makes such trips more likely, and boosts our collective quality of life."
