Council pushes cycling grants

The push was part of a motion, led by Australian cycling organisation Bicycle Network, tabled at its meeting at Longford last night.

The motion was supported by Councillor Dick Adams, who said there was scope to enhance targeted tourism by reinstating the lost grants. 

‘‘I think to lose the momentum we already have in the state is really sad,’’ Cr Adams said.

‘‘It’d be great if the state government could re-evaluate that.’’

Cr Janet Lambert said the state government had a ‘‘prime opportunity’’ to incorporate cycle ways into land around Perth in light of the proposed town bypass.

Cr Lambert said the new velodrome at Longford was well utilised and cyclists were often seen riding on the region’s roads.

The council voted to forward the matters as an agenda item for the next Local Government Association of Tasmania meeting.

A vote to seek stakeholder support for the council’s Launceston Airport and TransLink Precinct Master Plan proposal was also passed.

The council will meet key representatives from TasPorts, TasRail and Tasmanian Irrigation to garner interest  from the groups.

The plan would include meeting future requirements of Launceston Airport, to consolidate TransLink as a pre-eminent logistics precinct and to co-ordinate access planning to merge air and rail access with the national highway network.

The plan would also push for a rail modal interchange project at Western Junction and to upgrade sections of Evandale and Leighlands roads. 

The council will approach Northern Tasmania Development to manage the plan.