Redlynch Connection Pathway

The Redlynch Connection Pathway in Cairns is helping to reduce congestion around local schools and encouraging residents to be more active and healthy. Constructed in 2014, this scenic off-road, shared pedestrian and bicycle path connects the large suburban areas of Brinsmead and Redlynch Valley. It provides a safer and more direct connection between the two suburbs than the pre-existing road network.

The pathway connects St Andrews School, Freshwater Christian College and Redlynch State College as it travels through rainforest and cane fields, follows alongside a natural, clear, freshwater creek and passes through historic Goomboora Park.

View fullscreen map through external site Bike citizens | Download a PDF map published by Cairns Regional Council (PDF, 0.83 MB)

Routes are suggested only. You are responsible for your own safety while using Queensland’s bikeway network. The Department accepts no responsibility for any incorrect or out of date data presented.

Benefits

The pathway is popular with bike riders who are using the path for transport almost every weekday. Bike riders are travelling primarily from Redlynch to Brinsmead, Freshwater, Stratford and Cairns City.

An independent evaluation of the project has found a significant shift in choice of transport with 78% of bike riders saying that they would have travelled by car if the path was not there.²

People who are riding on the path for recreational reasons do so for up to 15km each ride. Those who ride for transport are averaging 8km per commuter trip. Locals who enjoy walking along the pathway are doing so for around 6km each time they head out for a walk.

 

Image credit: Cairns Regional Council

As a result, the project is estimated to be returning $12 in economic benefit to the local community for every dollar spent through better health outcomes, reduced traffic congestion and lower transport costs.²

The pathway provides local school children with a safe, convenient route to 2 of Cairns’ largest schools, encouraging healthy, active school travel for students. People living in the area have been overwhelmingly positive about its construction and are increasing their physical activity levels with walking and bike riding trips. Some people have commented that they have started walking or riding only since the pathway was constructed.

Community engagement

 

This project had a strong community commitment and involvement from the outset. Cairns Regional Council incorporated community feedback into the final design and location of the pathway and construction was carried out with minimal disruptions to the local community.

 

While the pathway was being built, there was strong interest in construction activities from locals, with a number of people visiting the site each day to have a look at progress.

Council negotiated land swap deals with local farmers to secure the corridor that people had said they preferred when the pathway was being designed.

Award winning

The Redlynch Connection Pathway was awarded the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia Queensland (IPWEAQ) Excellence Award for design and construction of a local government project ($1 million to $5 million). Award judges commended the strong community involvement and land swap innovations that were features of the project.

More information

For more information, please contact the Cycling and Programs team by emailing Cycling_Infrastructure_Program@tmr.qld.gov.au.

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^{1 Active Towns was a 3 year program from 2012-2015, during which TMR targeted investment in infrastructure and behaviour change events and promotion with the specific objective of achieving a rapid increase in walking and cycling.
2 CDM Research. 2016. Evaluation of the Cairns Brinsmead-Redlynch Connector Path. Report prepared for Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. Available on ourInfrastructure benefit evaluations page.}