Department of Transport LEEUWIN- NATURALISTE 2050 CYCLING STRATEGY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Cities and towns with high levels of cycling enjoy a range of economic, environmental and social benefits. Not only is cycling proven to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality, it also helps to create more vibrant and welcoming communities. Cycling can facilitate new forms of industry (such as cycle-tourism) and more generally, it enables people to live happier, healthier and more active lives. Fundamentally, increasing cycling mode share is about improving quality of life – something that is critical for attracting and retaining people in regional areas. The key to increasing cycling mode share is The Leeuwin-Naturaliste 2050 Cycling Strategy will providing infrastructure which is not only safe help inform future investment through the Regional and convenient, but also competitive against Bicycle Network Grants Program and potentially other modes of transport. To achieve this, cycling other funding sources. needs to be prioritised ahead of other modes in In developing this strategy, extensive consultation appropriate locations and integrated with adjoining has been undertaken with key stakeholders and land use. If we are serious about reducing car the local community. Not only did the consultation dependency and helping people make better help to refine the overarching aims and objectives choices for short trips, these priorities need to be of the strategy, it also clarified the community’s reflected in the way our communities are planned. expectations in terms of where key routes are Over the past five years, the City of Busselton most needed and the requirements of different and Shire of Augusta Margaret River have user groups. delivered several strategically important cycling In developing paths and trails, it is important projects. There are already great examples of to consider the potential environmental impact cycling facilities around the subregion - such of development and ensure that the unique as the coastal shared path linking Busselton to characteristics of the area are maintained. Some Dunsborough and the completed section of the locations may be limited by legislation and policy Wadandi Track linking Cowaramup to Witchcliffe. which could result in alignments changing as However, cycling in some areas remains further feasibility and planning are undertaken. unappealing due to the network’s lack of coverage, connectedness and separation from motorised There are a number of opportunities to create world- traffic. This strategy sets out a blueprint for class cycling facilities in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste connecting, enhancing and extending the region’s subregion. Major new road projects planned for cycling infrastructure through the development the outskirts of Busselton, Dunsborough and of an interconnected network of off-road shared Margaret River will provide important opportunities paths and trails, protected on-road bike lanes to deliver parallel walking and cycling facilities. and low-stress residential streets. Opportunities Improving access to the subregion’s river and coastal to improve safety for road cyclists are also foreshores will further enhance recreational cycling considered in this strategy. experiences for local residents, and help showcase some of the region’s best natural assets to visitors This long-term, aspirational strategy has been and tourists. There are also several opportunities developed by the Department of Transport in to establish long-distance and inter-regional cycling collaboration with the City of Busselton, Shire routes, which will help enable the Leeuwin-Naturaliste of Augusta Margaret River and the South West subregion to position itself as a world-class cycle- Development Commission. It is accompanied by tourism destination. a short-term action plan that reflects the priorities shared by local and State Government. The Leeuwin-Naturaliste 2050 Cycling Strategy outlines how the subregion can realise its full cycling potential, leading to a healthier, happier and more engaged community. 2 - GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA To Perth Shire of Boddington Connect Harvey to Myalup via Shire of Harvey the Harvey River diversion drain 0 kilometres 25 Connect small towns along the South Western Highway corridor Shire of Williams Connect Bunbury to Mandurah Indian (various options) Potential rail trail to Shire of Collie Williams and Narrogin Ocean Realign the Munda Biddi to improve access to/from Collie To Narrogin Connect Bunbury to Busselton City of (various options) Bunbury Shire of Dardanup Shire of West Arthur Connect Dunsborough Connect Capel to Peppermint Connect Capel to Boyanup Connect the Darkan Rail to Cape Naturaliste and Grove Beach (various options) via the dormant (Boyanup- Trail to Collie’s town centre To Wagin Yallingup Busselton) rail corridor Shire of Capel Shire of Potential rail trail Cape Donnybrook-Balingup to Wagin Naturaliste Realign the Munda Biddi to improve access to/from Donnybrook Connect Donnybrook to Boyup Brook via the disused (Donnybrook- Connect Busselton to the Katanning) rail corridor Munda Biddi via the disused Link Dunsborough to the Wadandi (Ruabon-Tutunup) rail corridor Track via the Yelverton Tramway Potential rail trail to Kojonup and Katanning Shire of Busselton Complete the Wadandi Track between Busselton and Augusta To Kojonup Shire of Connect Cowaramup Boyup Brook to Gracetown Shire of Augusta-Margaret River Shire of Potential tourist trail along the Bridgetown- Blackwood River Valley linking Green Bushes Nannup, Bridgetown and Boyup Brook Shire of Nannup Connect Northcliffe to Bunbury via the dormant (Bunbury- Northcliffe) rail corridor Connect the Munda Biddi to the Wadandi Track and the Capes region Connect Augusta to Cape Leeuwin Cape Leeuwin Shire of Manjimup Legend Existing Primary Route Primary Route Opportunity Existing Tourist Trail To Albany Tourist Trail Opportunity Munda Biddi Trail [email protected] 30 July 2018; Plan No: 9016851B Figure 1.1 The south west corner of WA is well positioned to become one of Australia’s best regions for long-distance cycling. 3 4 CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2 5. INTER-REGIONAL OPPORTUNITIES 53 1. INTRODUCTION 7 5.1 Linking Busselton to Bunbury 54 1.1 Guiding principles 7 5.2 Linking Busselton to Nannup 57 1.2 Leeuwin-Naturaliste in context 8 5.3 Linking Boranup to Nannup 58 1.3 The need for a long-term regional 9 6. ACTION PLAN 60 cycling strategy 6.1 The existing cycling network 60 1.4 Background research and analysis 13 6.2 Priority projects 67 2. REGIONAL ROUTE HIERARCHY 15 6.3 Activation, consultation and 73 2.1 Primary routes 15 evaluation 2.2 Secondary routes 16 6.4 Plan maintenance 74 2.3 Local routes 17 APPENDIX A: ROUTE HIERARCHY 75 2.4 Tourist trails 18 A .1 Route hierarchy summary 76 2.5 Road cycling routes 19 APPENDIX B: DESKTOP ANALYSIS 79 3. PROPOSED NETWORK 20 SUMMARY 3.1 Overall network 20 B.1 Analysis of pedestrian and cyclist crash 80 data (2013-2017) 3.2 Busselton 20 B.2 Analysis of GPS travel data 84 3.3 Dunsborough 23 B.3 Document review 88 3.4 Margaret River, Prevelly, Gnarabup 24 and Witchcliffe APPENDIX C: COMMUNITY 89 CONSULTATION SUMMARY 3.5 Cowaramup and Gracetown 26 C.1 Phase one (Drop-in sessions) 90 3.6 Augusta 27 C.2 Phase two (Public comment period) 95 4. THE WAY FORWARD 28 4.1 Connecting people to places of 28 education and employment 4.2 Harnessing the potential of rail 32 corridors 4.3 Creating loops around urban centres 36 4.4 Making better use of drainage 38 corridors 4.5 Re-engineering local streets to 40 create low stress environments 4.6 Developing safe routes for road 44 cyclists 4.7 Capitalising on cycle-tourism 46 4.8 Getting cycling infrastructure right 50 from the start 5 WHY DO WE WANT MORE PEOPLE CYCLING TO ENABLE PEOPLE TO ENJOY TO IMPROVE THE STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE OF HEALTHIER AND MORE ACTIVE LIVES OUR REGIONAL COMMUNITIES Obesity rates are 10% higher in regional WA The popularity of outdoor and adventure tourism is compared to Perth. As a result, people living in increasing all over the world, with cycle-tourism identied as regional areas are 1.25 times more likely to a key growth area. In 2015, almost 3 million people went suffer from cardiovascular disease and 1.4 times cycling while on holiday in Australia. more likely to be hospitalised for diabetes. TO REDUCE PRESSURE ON THE PUBLIC PURSE TO IMPROVE A study MENTAL HEALTH commissioned by the AND SOCIAL RAC found that the INCLUSION economic, social, People who engage in health and regular exercise environmental experience reduced benets attributed to stress, improved cycling infrastructure sleeping patterns, outweigh their costs improved incurred by between concentration and a 3.4 and 5.4 times. better outlook on life. In dollar terms, it is More people riding estimated that for and walking provides every kilometre greater opportunities cycled, $1.42 of for incidental economic benets interaction on the are generated for the streets, enhancing a community. sense of community. TO HELP FAMILIES SAVE TO REDUCE TRANSPORT MONEY, AND INCREASE IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT OPTIONS Transport is Australia’s third largest source of Families who have at least one person commuting by bike greenhouse gas emissions, with emissions from (instead of car) save on average $8 per day which equates to transport increasing nearly 60% since 1990, nearly $2,000 per year. Cycling provides an economic and more than any other sector. In Australia, cars are independent travel option for those who might otherwise have responsible for roughly half of all transport their travel options restricted. emissions. 6 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Guiding principles The Leeuwin-Naturaliste 2050 Cycling Strategy The networks proposed in each of these strategies sets out a long-term vision to create a safe, direct, have been developed based on the following principles: comfortable and integrated cycling network for the Safe: The 2050 cycling network should be built subregion.