The Minns Labor Government is continuing to prioritise safety and accessibility for school students, with a $10 million boost in walking and cycling infrastructure near schools.
Some 24 locations will receive improvements including new and upgraded shared paths, footpaths and raised pedestrian crossings that make it safer for children and parents to walk to school including 2 locations in the Electorate of Cessnock.
It is part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to building better communities through essential infrastructure.
Data shows less than 1 in 4 NSW school children currently walk or ride to and from school, while over 70 per cent of parents and carers indicated they would like to walk to school with their children most days. Children are only spending 18 minutes per day walking or riding a bike, less than a third of the daily recommendation.
The Electorate of Cessnock received funding for two projects:
- Doyle Street, Bellbird – Active Transport Connect – Route to school – $795,421 Which will include construction of 3m wide shared path on Tennant Street Bellbird from Balangara Way to Sparke Street and construction of 1.8m walking path on Doyle Street, connecting Bellbird North URA from Tennant Street to existing pathway to Bellbird Public School. The project will include pedestrian refuge at Sparke Street and Doyle Street intersection.
- Richmond Street, Kitchener – Active Transport Connection – Shared path – $419,511 This connection will provide walking and riding opportunities for families living in the village of Kitchener and provides a connection to the new residential subdivision.
View a full list of projects funded by the program here.
Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison said:
“I’m delighted to share details of the $10 million worth of active transport projects that have been funded by the NSW Government.
“Improving safety is our number one priority. We want parents and carers to feel confident to walk, ride and scoot their kids to school – it’s critically important to their mental and physical health.”
Minister for Transport, John Graham said:
“There are so many benefits for children walking or riding safely to school. It builds independence and self-confidence, improves health and can establish being active as a lifelong pattern.
“Upgraded and wider footpaths, quality crossings and more trees are among the small changes that can make a big difference to getting kids active on the way to school.”
State Member for the Electorate of Cessnock, Clayton Barr said:
“I am delighted to see projects being funding which will help local children to walk/ride safely to school.”
“Walking or riding to school is a great way for children to be active and construction of these two projects at Bellbird and Kitchener will ensure our local children have a safe way to walk or ride to school.”
Pedestrian Council of Australia CEO, Harold Scruby said:
“As our motto says – active kids are healthy kids, and the best form of physical activity for all Australians is walking regularly. Children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day. We also encourage parents and carers to take their children on a walk to school each day to teach them life-long road safety habits.
“Being active every day, including walking to school, provides social, emotional, physical, and mental health benefits, including improving self-esteem and confidence and helping concentration. And the best way to do this is to build walking into your daily routine.”