Albury-Wodonga will soon be home to an innovative project showcasing the best in urban design, planning and renewal, funded as part of our efforts to make the nation’s major cities more productive, sustainable and liveable.
The Gillard Labor Government will partner with Albury City Council and the City of Wodonga to fund a cross border bicycle network to service the large and growing numbers of cyclists in the region.
Research has found that Albury-Wodonga is a national leader in cycling with participation rates well above the State and national average for both recreational use and as a primary form of transport.
However, the research also showed that many more local residents would cycle if the cycle paths were safer, more extensive and of a better standard.
The project will link the CBDs and railway precincts and Murray River Trail via the Albury CBD, with upgrades to existing on-road cycle paths and re-decking of the ‘Wodonga Stock Bridge’.
Secure lock up storage and bicycle parking will be installed.
There are great health benefits from cycling, as well as savings to the hip-pocket and a cleaner environment.
This project will serve as a demonstration project for other Australian cities.
From a national perspective, the project is a great example of the cooperation between governments and the private sector that will be required if we are to overcome the big challenges facing our cities such as climate change, a lack of affordable housing, traffic congestion and a growing, ageing population.
As one of the most urbanised societies on the planet, Australia’s future economic prosperity and social cohesion will depend largely on how successful we are at making our cities more productive, sustainable and liveable.
That’s why Federal Labor has ended the Commonwealth’s self-imposed, decade long exile from our major cities and is once again engaging with the states, territories and local councils to bring about a much needed urban renaissance.
The Improving Albury Wodonga's Cycling Infrastructure Project will receive $300,000 in funding from the Gillard Government’s Liveable Cities program.