REDLAND City Council was yesterday (April 15) set to adopt a sweeping 20-year active transport strategy aimed at shifting more residents out of cars and onto footpaths, bikeways and shared paths, with a target to double walking and riding trips by 2046.
The Redlands Coast Active Transport Strategy sets a goal to lift active travel’s share of all trips from about 9 per cent to 18 per cent over two decades – a shift Council says is critical to avoid worsening congestion, parking pressure and car dependence as the city grows.
Population is forecast to rise by about 50,000 people to 211,500 by 2046, with local jobs increasing from about 50,200 to 71,900.
Mayor Jos Mitchell said the strategy was about giving residents more choice in how they move.
“At the heart of the Redlands Coast Active Transport Strategy is a desire to provide our community with greater choice over how we move around the city,” she said.
“This Strategy is a unique opportunity to reimagine travel for our residents and visitors, with a focus on making more walking and riding facilities available within five kilometres of our major destinations.”
The plan argues Redlands has strong foundations, with more than 565km of pathways and a high number of short trips that could be shifted away from cars.
Despite this, active travel has declined sharply. Journey-to-work data shows about 90 per cent of trips are by private vehicle, compared with just 2 per cent by active transport and 4 per cent by public transport.
The strategy focuses on building five-kilometre catchments around key destinations such as schools, centres, transport hubs and parks.
Equity is also central, with Council noting an ageing population and residents without regular car access.
Island communities including North Stradbroke, Russell, Macleay, Lamb, Karragarra and Coochiemudlo are identified as key opportunities due to shorter trip distances and reliance on ferries.
The strategy also addresses the rise of e-bikes and e-scooters, flagging potential future policy work around hire schemes, parking and speed management following a 2026 state inquiry into e-mobility.
Beyond infrastructure, Council is pushing behaviour change programs, including school initiatives, workplace travel planning, improved signage and maps, and better end-of-trip facilities.
The report argues increasing active travel would deliver economic and health benefits, citing potential savings of up to $100 million a year.
Council currently spends about 13 per cent of its transport budget on active travel. Spending is proposed to rise from $4.68 million in 2024-25 to about $6.5 million by 2046 in today’s dollars.
Priority actions over the next five years include targeting high-need areas, fixing key gaps near major destinations, rolling out behaviour programs and strengthening advocacy to other levels of government.
The strategy also links improved walking and cycling networks to tourism opportunities, including the Moreton Bay Cycleway and potential benefits tied to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
