The Western Australian Government has announced a $7.6 million boost to walking and cycling paths, which will add more than 50 kilometres to the WA Bicycle Network (WABN) over the next two years.
As part of the annual WABN grants scheme, the State Government matches funding with local governments, who have successfully applied for the funding.
The grants program assists local government authorities with the planning, design and construction of bicycle infrastructure, with funding split evenly between metro and regional areas.
This funding will support 27 projects across metropolitan Perth, including a new two-kilometre link along Gilmore Avenue in the City of Kwinana and a 3.4 kilometre connection in the City of Rockingham along Ennis Avenue and Dixon Road. Both projects connect schools, tertiary institutions and recreational spaces, with the City of Rockingham project also greatly improving access to the train station.
Access to the new Glendalough Station to Hutton Street section of Principal Shared Path (PSP) currently under construction will also be improved, with the City of Vincent awarded funding to connect existing facilities along Scarborough Beach Road to the new PSP.
In the City of Kalamunda a new connection along Berkshire and Dundas roads will connect the new section of PSP being constructed between Kalamunda and Berkshire roads to the future Forrestfield Station.
Projects are also planned across the regions, from the Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance all the way up to the Pilbara and Kimberley. This includes major shared path and tourist trail projects in Chittering, Manjimup and Port Hedland, all of which are more than five kilometres long and provide essential connections between town sites and key local destinations and facilities.
A new shared path following the Buayanyup Drain is also proposed in Busselton, connecting the popular foreshore and caravan park to the Wadandi Track, which is bound to be popular with locals and visitors alike.
In addition to local government infrastructure projects, funding has also been committed to continue the Your Move Connecting Schools program, which aims to improve bicycle access, wayfinding, bicycle education and end-of-trip facilities at schools.
Source: WA Government