Ipswich City Council has taken another small step in advancing its city-wide active transport masterplan with the establishment of new public end-of-trip facility in the Nicholas Street Precinct.
As part of the council-endorsed iGO Active Transport Action Plan (ATAP), and supporting the continuing Ipswich Central Revitalisation efforts, the new open-air end-of-trip facility has been established in the Nicholas Street carpark adjacent the Bradfield Bridge.
Ipswich City Council Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee Chairperson and Division 3 Councillor Andrew Antoniolli welcomed the new facility, which has been funded and delivered by council in partnership with the State Government.
“The facility will provide a new layer of convenience for people venturing into Ipswich Central by bicycle or scooter for work or to visit,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“Knowing there is a designated parking area and charging facility will make it so much easier for bicycle and scooter riders to plan their trip for work and play in Ipswich Central.
“This is just yet another step as council continues to adapt and strengthen our active transport network.”
Six electric charging stations for use by e-scooters and e-bicycles, 16 bicycle racks, new decking and lighting have been installed, while security cameras already operating in the area will safeguard the facility.
Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle said public toilets and showers were already available upstairs in Tulmur Place to complement the facility for riders wanting to refresh at the end of their journey.
“Council identified under its iGO Active Transport Action Plan that there was a need for a more balanced approach to the provision of transport infrastructure for Ipswich Central workers and visitors as part of our capital works program,” Cr Doyle said.
“In order to get more people involved in active transport such as walking and cycling, council needs to continue to build a network which safely connects people to where they want to go and make it more convenient for its users.
“With the increasing use of bicycles and scooters, we took the decision to build this facility to make Ipswich Central more accessible for alternative modes of transport.
“Last year, we began an e-scooter trial in the Springfield Central area to collect data and it has so far indicated a high uptake of e-scooters being used for connectivity to public transport and short trips to work or the local shops.
“We know that e-scooter and e-bike usage is likely to continue to increase in the years ahead so we need to make sure our network can cater for them.”
This project was jointly funded by council and the Queensland Government through its Cycle Network Local Government Grants Program.
Read council’s iGO Active Transport Action Plan here.