"GREENWAYS – A NEW GENERATION OF CYCLING AND WALKING PATHS.

A re-elected Rann Government will commit $12 million over four years towards the construction of dedicated cycling and walking paths known as ‘Greenways’ that safely link people with their home, workplace, schools and local open spaces. The initiative builds on projects such Linear Park (Athelstone to Henley Beach), Coast Park (North Haven to Sellicks Beach) and the Mike Turtur Bikeway from the City to Glenelg (formerly known as Tramway Park).

Premier Mike Rann says the next projects will be rolled out along our revitalised rail corridors and our waterways. “This is about helping Adelaide become a sustainable and liveable City for many generations to come,” he said. “Our long-term plan is to create a linking network of cycling and walking paths that stretch across the metropolitan area. "These greenways will improve our natural environment and provide a cooler, greener city through the planting of more native trees and shrubs.

“The first priority will be a 15-kilometre Greenway from Adelaide to Marino Rocks that will link the City to the southern suburbs along the electrified Noarlunga rail line. “We will also begin planning Greenways along other rail lines such as Gawler and Outer Harbor to complement our visionary plans for TODs in places like Cheltenham, Bowden and Port Adelaide, and on waterways like the Sturt River. “A network of linking Greenways will provide a safe travel alternative for commuters and families away from busy traffic on arterial roads.

“Our plan brings together our investment in cycling, open space development and biodiversity restoration to create a network of green corridors. “We want everyone to have the opportunity to enjoy clean, green and safe open spaces that link places of work and recreation.

“Our vision of a linked network of Greenways will build on Adelaide’s reputation as the Capital City of cycling. “In addition to the highly popular Tour Down Under, which saw more than 8,000 riders take part in the Mutual Community Challenge Tour this year, we have spent $106 million on cycle related projects since 2002.

“This investment has seen the amount of bike tracks and lanes increase from 480 kilometres eight years ago to more than 770 kilometres in 2010.

“The number of people riding into the CBD on a daily basis has also increased from 5,011 in 2003 to 7,744 in 2009 – an increase of just over 50 per cent.

“To ensure South Australia remains one of the best places in the world to live, work and raise a family we must help our communities become greener and more sustainable. “Through the 30 year Plan for Greater Adelaide we will also create a network of green and open space areas that will further cool our neighbourhoods and reduce the expected impacts of climate change.

“We have already invested more than $67 million in the past eight years to develop public space and improve important public areas through the Planning and Development fund. “The Urban Forest Program has also seen more than $8 million invested in planting 1.9 million seedlings to provide vital habitat for wildlife in our public spaces.

“To further reduce our reliance on cars, we are investing more than $2 billion to revitalise the public transport system to make it cleaner, faster and more efficient.

“New electric trains, trams and environmentally friendly buses will complement a network of Greenways to help people travel to work, school or recreational activities without a car.

“A re-elected Rann Labor Government will continue to fulfil a vision of greener, more sustainable communities in which to live, work and enjoy.”