National Active Transport Fund

The $100m National Active Transport Fund announced last week by Minister Catherine King headlines the (cycling) Budget delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers last night.

As WeRide said then, in our meetings with the Minister and her office we had been advocating for measures that would respond to the appetite of many more Australians who want to ride for short, local trips in their communities. The seven recommendations in our 2024-25 Pre-Budget Submission argued for measures to assist governments provide affordable and equitable options for daily transport and the Fund announcement responds directly to that need.

 

The Budget also announced some interesting initiatives that will potentially inform an evidence-based approach to future development of Australia’s urban form.

These measures are ‘below the line,’ that is they are not directly delivering outcomes or funding infrastructure but they are nevertheless important to guide future funding and better outcomes on the ground.

For this reason, WeRide looks broadly at what is going on with our Commonwealth, state and territory Governments so we can support measures like these that have the capacity to influence future policy and spending programs. We are very privileged to be able to collaborate nationally with experts and researchers who build the evidence and knowledge that can inform and guide our policies and Government actions.

The transition to NetZero

The first measure was confirmation of the Government’s approach to the transition to NetZero across all portfolios with funding for its Net Zero Economy Authority. The combined portfolios of Employment and Workplace Relations, Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Fair Work Commission are contributing ‘to promote orderly and positive economic transformation associated with decarbonisation to ensure Australia, its regions and workers realise the benefits of the net zero economy.‘

Interesting times for the Authority as legislation is due to be passed to establish it from the transitional body Chaired by Greg Combet who departs to lead the Future Fund mid-year. Responsible for the financial aspects of the transition, it complements the work of key climate advisory agency to the government, the Climate Change Authority (CCA).

 

Climate Change Authority cycling submission

The CCA has just closed consultation on its major 2024 issues paper, Targets, Pathways and Progress, which is the subject of a major submission from the combined Australian bicycle organisations group, led by WeRide.

The submission principally addresses the issues paper’s lack of focus on active transport which will be critical to the mode shift required for an equitable, effective and sustainable transition to a future NetZero transport system.

The Government’s urban agenda

The second measure is funding over 4 years to ‘support the delivery of the Government’s Urban Agenda, supporting a national approach to sustainable urban development, oversight of urban renewal projects and the continued delivery of city and regional deal projects.’

While part of the funding comes from an underspend in two community infrastructure programs WeRide is pleased to see the ongoing commitment of this Government to a national leadership role for sustainable urban development. It bodes well for an increasing evidence-led approach to better local communities as Australia struggles to provide for citizens in the face of a constrained infrastructure environment coping with fast population growth and increasing focus on cost of living and the transition to NetZero.

The Budget measure states:

‘The Government will provide $12.6 million over four years from 2024–25 to support the delivery of the Government’s Urban Agenda, supporting a national approach to sustainable urban development, oversight of urban renewal projects and the continued delivery of city and regional deal projects.’

 

WeRide’s federal advocacy

Our vision is that Australia’s a greener, healthier, better place to be because more people are riding bikes.

WeRide continues its work as the national independent voice for cycling with activities of national significance, including:

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