Ian Gilfillan - Speeches and Questions: Cycling Action Plan - Tuesday 31 May 2005 :: Australian Democrats - SA Division
The Hon. IAN GILFILLAN: I seek leave to make an explanation before asking the Minister for Industry and Trade, representing the Minister for Transport, a question about the cycling action plan.

Leave granted.

The Hon. IAN GILFILLAN: As a cyclist and patron of Bicycle SA, I join with my colleagues in this place in expressing my interest in all matters to do with cycling. I note that in the transport section of the budget, Portfolio State­ments, Budget Paper 4, volume 2, page 6, paragraph 14—`Highlights 2004-05 Transport’, at the bottom of column 1, it states, `Completed cycling action plan.’ This is clearly a good piece of news, as there are thousands of cyclists in South Australia who would love to see the cycling action plan—

The Hon. A.J. Redford interjecting:

The Hon. IAN GILFILLAN: —including my colleague the Hon. Angus Redford, who is showing particular interest in this matter. Unfortunately, so far I have been unable to find a copy of this cycling action plan, and I wonder whether it might be related to the `Safety in numbers strategy for cycling in South Australia’, which remains a persistent rumour in cycling circles—and you have to be in cycling circles to understand the significance of that. My questions are:

1. Will the minister advise whether the cycling plan is a secret document?

2. Will the minister advise whether there was a consulta­tion phase which sought input from the public and various cycling organisations in South Australia and, if so, when?

3. Given that this plan is now listed as being completed, when is it likely to be published and made available to the public?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Industry and Trade): I will refer those questions to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing in another place and bring back a reply. I remind the honourable member that, while the cycling action plan may have been completed, the Rann government continues to support cyclists within this state. As I indicated yesterday, this government has provided some $2.6 million for the coastal park, much of which will be used to extend the bike trail which links with the Torrens Linear park trail, both north and south. We will continue to put money into that area to continue that plan, which will not only provide an attractive recreational environment but also significantly improve safety for cyclists who wish to travel along that path.