Ministerial Statement: NEW BICYCLE FACILITIES AT 61 MARY STREET

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Minister for Public Works and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
24/06/2009

NEW BICYCLE FACILITIES AT 61 MARY STREET

New bicycle facilities in Brisbane City are setting government workers on the path to a happier, healthier lifestyle, Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said today.

Mr Schwarten today joined Member for Brisbane Central Grace Grace to officially open the new bicycle parking and change facilities at 61 Mary Street, encouraging government workers to ride to and from work, to protect their health and the environment.

"I want government workers to lead the charge in achieving a healthier lifestyle, while managing congestion and contributing positively to climate change," Mr Schwarten said.

"This $730,000 expansion at 61 Mary Street includes 298 lockers and parking for 254 bicycles, making it easier for workers to leave the car at home and ride to work.

"Coupled with the upgrade to end-of-trip facilities at the Neville Bonner Building in William Street which opened earlier this year, we've now added 350 parking places in total for staff who commu te by bike," he said.

"That's 350 workers given the incentive of a secure place to park their bike and somewhere convenient to change clothes, freshen up and combine exercise with their trip to work.

"With Brisbane's population growing every year, cycling or walking to work are not only healthier options, they are greener options that will help ease urban congestion and reduce carbon emissions."

Ms Grace said the new bike parks and lockers were located on the lower ground level next to the existing shower and change room facilities, and would be available for use by all government employees.

"If the new facilities at 61 Mary Street prove as popular as those at the Neville Bonner Building, they'll be snapped up in the blink of an eye," Ms Grace said.

"In both buildings, twin tier or double-stack racks have been installed, identical to the jointly funded Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council bike storage facilities at King Geor ge Square.

"Around 12 per cent of workers in the CBD cycle, walk or jog to work every day and we want to encourage more government workers to follow suit by providing these wonderful facilities.

"Facilities such as these help us to achieve our Toward Q2 targets of a healthier, greener Queensland."

Mr Schwarten said the new end-of trip facilities were in line with the whole-of-Government Congestion Management Strategy and the Queensland Cycle Strategy.

The Queensland Government has committed $235 million under the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan to implement cycle networks in the south-east corner over the next 20 years.

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