QLD Premier opens $36m bike and pedestrian path over the Sir Leo Hielscher (Gateway) Bridge
The Premier of Queensland, the Hon Anna Bligh is leading the nation in investing in active and sustainable transport with the opening yesterday of the $36 million walking and cycling path over the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridge (previously know as the Gateway Bridge).
The Minister for Transport, the Hon Rachel Nolan MP, who recently won the Cycling Promotion Fund’s Bicycling Achievement Awards for Contribution to Promotion Cycling by a Politician, and Main Roads Minister the Hon Craig Wallace MP both spoke and jointly opened the bridge with the Premier.
The path provides a key link for cyclists and pedestrians and is the first cycle and pedestrian path linking Brisbane’s north and south across to the east of the city. It will save time and congestion by avoiding a long detour for residents on the south side of the Brisbane River into the CBD and east city areas.
Image 1: Hon Rachel Nolan MP, Minister for Transport, Stephen Hodge, Cycling Promotion Fund, Premier of Queensland, the Hon Anna Bligh & local riders celebrate the opening of Sir Leo Hielscher Bridge
The launch was strongly supported by members of Bicycle Queensland and other bicycle user groups from the area and there was a strong media presence to report on the event. The Cycling Promotion Fund’s Government Relations Manager Stephen Hodge assisted Premier Anna Bligh by acting as Master of Ceremonies for the opening - see below for more images.
Sir Leo Hielscher and wife Lady Mary were in attendance with three generations of family members to witness the opening by the Premier. In comments to Stephen Hodge he strongly supported the investment to get Queenslanders out and about more on two wheels and two feet.
Sir Leo was the longest serving public servant when he retired as Chairman of the Queensland Treasury Corporation in June this year.
The project is part of the States major bicycle infrastructure program and is part of the commitment by the Bligh Government and Minister for Transport to make Queensland a more sustainable, healthy and liveable community.
The investment in bicycle infrastructure and programs recognised in this year’s Cycling Promotion Fund’s Bicycling Achievement Awards is the largest ever by any level of government in Australia and sets new standards for the commitment to making Australia more bicycle friendly.
More information:
- Premier Bligh Media Statement: ‘World class cycleway offers billion dollar views’
- The Hon Rachel Nolan, Qld Minister for Transport, wins Bicycling Achievement Award
- CPF Media Release on Award recognising nation leading investments by Queensland Government (PDF, 60kb)
Media Contact: Stephen Hodge 0411 149 910
Image 2: The cycling and walking path over the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridge is a major piece of infrastructure.
Image 3: Stephen Hodge assists Premier Anna Bligh with the Opening.
Image 4: Left to right: Anna Bligh, Sir Leo Hielscher and Minister for Transport Rachel Nolan unveil the plaque.
Awards recognise record investment in pedal power
The 2009 Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards were presented in Canberra on 16 June 2010 at an event opened by Heart Foundation CEO (ACT) Tony Stubbs and with the key note address from Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Maxine McKew.
“2009 has been a landmark year for cycling, with this year’s commitments to fund bicycle infrastructure blowing away previous investments by all three levels of government,” said Stephen Hodge, spokesperson for the Cycling Promotion Fund.
Media Release: Awards recognise record investment in pedal power (16 June 2010)
New South Wales: NSW winners dominate at Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards (16 June 2010)
South Australia: Cycling program helping students overcome disadvantage wins national award (16 June 2010)
Tasmania: National awards recognise record investment in pedal power (16 June 2010)
Queensland: National awards recognise Queensland’s record investment in cycling (16 June 2010)
West Australia: Iconic West Australian cycling trail wins national Award (16 June 2010)
Victoria: Awards recognise 50 years of cycle training clinics for kids (16 June 2010)
Maxine McKew to deliver key note address at Bicycling Awards
Media Release: Maxine McKew to deliver key note address at Bicycling Awards (20 April 2010)
Maxine McKew, Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, will deliver the key note address at this year’s Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards.
Cycling, Active Transport & Healthy Communities is the theme for the Awards to be held at a breakfast function on Wednesday 16 June at Old Parliament House in Canberra.
Ms McKew’s portfolio responsibilities have a direct impact on cycling, active transport and the investment in healthy communities and her views will be eagerly sought by Award winners, industry and government stakeholders as we head to the next federal election.
Heart Foundation is the new principal partner for awards
Media Release: Heart Foundation partners Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards (15 February 2010)
The Cycling Promotion Fund is delighted to announce the National Heart Foundation of Australia as principal partner for the Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards. The support from the Heart Foundation for the Awards comes at a time of increasing concern about rising obesity and falling levels of physical activity among our school children and Australian families.
Spokesman for the Cycling Promotion Fund, Stephen Hodge, noted the importance of recognising the achievements in increasing participation in one of our most popular forms of physical activity. “These Awards are enormously important to recognise success in getting more Australians physically active on two wheels and we traditionally receive nominations from all parts of the country.
“They recognise both the professionals and ordinary Australians who are creating a better, more bicycle friendly community,” he said.
