The Minns Labor Government is continuing to prioritise safety and accessibility for school students, with a $10 million boost in walking and cycling infrastructure near schools.
Some 24 locations will receive improvements including new and upgraded shared paths, footpaths and raised pedestrian crossings that make it safer for children and parents to walk to school.
The funding announced today coincides with NSW Walk Safely to School Day. It is part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to building better communities through essential infrastructure.
Data shows less than one in four NSW school children currently walk or ride to and from school, while over 70 per cent of parents and carers indicated they would like to walk to school with their children most days. Children are only spending 18 minutes per day walking or riding a bike, less than a third of the daily recommendation.
National Walk Safely to School Day is a Pedestrian Council of Australia initiative that falls within National Road Safety Week, an annual initiative of Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group to encourage safer behaviour on our roads.
This builds on funding programs to deliver safety around schools, including through measures such as school zones, flashing lights and the NSW Road Safety Education Program.
Examples of projects funded by the program include:
- $979,489 towards the removal of the Children’s Crossing and the installation of a raised pedestrian crossing with a pedestrian refuge island and speed cushion on Greenbridge Drive in Wilton.
- $807,180 towards the North Lismore Connections project, delivering safe pathways linking residents to the CBD, sporting fields, showgrounds, and the proposed high school, enhancing active transport, connectivity, and safety.
- $795,421.55 towards the construction of a 3m wide shared path on Tennant Street Bellbird from Balangara Way to Sparke St, and a 1.8m wide walking path on Doyle Street, including a pedestrian refuge at the Sparke Street and Doyle Street intersection.
- $758,911 towards improving pedestrian crossing safety at the Conadilly-Henry Street intersection in Gunnedah, reducing conflicts between pedestrians and 26-meter B-double vehicles near a school, church, and businesses.
- $615,000 towards the construction of a 3.0m wide shared path along Military Road in Port Kembla and a 1.5m wide footpath along Olympic Boulevard, connecting the Foreshore, Town Centre, and Train Station to community facilities and public transport.
View a full list of projects funded by the program here:
For more information on Walk Safely to School Day, visit the 2025 Walk Safely to School Day web page.
Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:
“On this Walk Safely to School Day, I’m delighted to share details of the $10 million worth of active transport projects that have been funded by the NSW Government.
“Tragically, two child pedestrians died and 36 were seriously injured in active school zones in the five-year period from 2019 to 2023.
“Improving safety is our number one priority. We want parents and carers to feel confident to walk, ride and scoot their kids to school – it’s critically important to their mental and physical health.
“Children are only spending 18 minutes per day – less than one third of the recommended daily time – walking or riding a bike. I encourage parents to leave the car at home and take the time to walk or cycle with their kids, always hold their hand when walking on the footpath and cross at pedestrian crossings.”
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“There are so many benefits for children walking or riding safely to school. It builds independence and self-confidence, improves health and can establish being active as a lifelong pattern.
“The reduction in traffic congestion on the road network when we have fewer parents in fewer cars doing fewer trips to school is another positive result of kids getting to school on foot or by bike or scooter.
“Upgraded and wider footpaths, quality crossings and more trees are among the small changes that can make a big difference to getting kids active on the way to school.”
Pedestrian Council of Australia CEO Harold Scruby said:
“As our motto says – active kids are healthy kids, and the best form of physical activity for all Australians is walking regularly. Children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day. We also encourage parents and carers to take their children on a walk to school each day to teach them life-long road safety habits.
“Being active every day, including walking to school, provides social, emotional, physical and mental health benefits, including improving self-esteem and confidence and helping concentration. And the best way to do this is to build walking into your daily routine.
“Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or carer – everyone has a role to play in helping children and young people to lead active healthy lives. Remember to hold your child’s hand and always stop, look, listen and think before crossing the road.”