Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads has dismantled its walking and cycling team, a group of experts established in 2006 that worked on projects including the Veloway and Kurilpa Bridge, drawing criticism from Labor’s transport spokesman and prompting fears among some about active transport planning as the state prepares to move tens of thousands of people between Olympic venues.
The Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Team was dismantled on October 30. A LinkedIn post by senior TMR adviser Michael Langdon, commemorating an “end of an era,” drew dozens of tributes from transport professionals, academics and advocates. Some expressed fears about who would continue a focus on active transport in government, particularly as the state prepares to move tens of thousands of people between Olympic venues.
The state government said the team had been realigned into another group and that there were no job losses. “TMR has a walking and cycling infrastructure team which has moved to the newly established Engineering Delivery Support Group, focused on delivering active transport projects across Queensland,” a TMR spokesman said. The government told this masthead the move would bring walking and cycling expertise into planning and design earlier, which it said would strengthen the delivery of active transport projects, including Games-related work.
The team provided technical advice on raised pedestrian crossings (known as wombat crossings), studied floating bus stops, collected data on e-scooters, and ran dozens of walking and cycling technical training courses across the state. Its work also included a review of “door zone” collision risks between car doors and cyclists, analysis of bicycle GPS tracking data, and suicide prevention screens.
Labor’s transport spokesman Bart Mellish said the news was “incredibly disappointing … but not surprising given this government’s disdain for cycling and active transport.” He said the team “did great work for cycling outcomes over a number of years, and it is sad to see them disbanded.”
The Crisafulli government has committed $4 million to the School Transport Infrastructure Program, which provides active travel grants to councils, in 2025-26. The previous Labor government had budgeted $16 million for the same period before it lost the October 2024 election.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The loss of a dedicated, expert team could slow or weaken the delivery of cycling and walking infrastructure just as Queensland gears up for the 2032 Olympics, where safe and efficient active transport will be critical.
- The move signals a potential shift in government priorities away from active transport, despite rising use of e-scooters, cycling and walking in Brisbane and other parts of the state.
- The government’s commitment to active transport will now be judged by whether the realigned engineering group can maintain the same level of expertise and project delivery.
Background
The Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Team was established in 2006 within Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads to provide technical expertise for walking and cycling projects. Its work has included major pieces such as the Veloway and Kurilpa Bridge, the cycleway and shared path on the Ipswich Motorway from Oxley to Rocklea, safety studies, data analysis and training courses. The team was also involved in a 2023 study on speed on the Kurilpa Bridge. Its dissolution comes as the Crisafulli government, elected in October 2024, prepares for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will require significant active transport infrastructure.
Key Perspectives
Bart Mellish (Labor transport spokesman): said the news was “incredibly disappointing … but not surprising given this government’s disdain for cycling and active transport,” and that the team “did great work for cycling outcomes over a number of years, and it is sad to see them disbanded.”
Queensland government TMR spokesman: said the team had been moved to the Engineering Delivery Support Group, focused on delivering active transport projects, and the realignment would bring expertise into planning and design earlier, strengthening delivery, including for the Olympics.
What to Watch
- Whether the Queensland government announces a replacement or expanded program dedicated to active transport ahead of the 2032 Games.
- The next state budget’s allocation for active transport infrastructure, compared to the previous government’s $16 million for school active travel grants.
- Reaction from the Local Government Association of Queensland and active transport advocacy groups, which had previously worked closely with the disbanded team.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe Queensland government disbanded the walking and cycling team.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “A team of walking and cycling experts embedded within Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads has been dismantled”
- SupportedThe team was 20 years old and was moved into an engineering group.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Team, established in 2006”
- SupportedThe move prompted fears about active transport planning as Queensland prepares to move tens of thousands of people between Olympic venues.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Some expressed fears about who would continue a focus on active transport in the government, particularly as the state prepares to move tens of thousands of people between Olympic venues.”
- SupportedThe team was dismantled on October 30.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “after the team was disbanded on October 30”
- SupportedThe team was established in 2006 and worked on projects including the Veloway and Kurilpa Bridge.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Team, established in 2006, was involved in projects to improve infrastructure, including the Veloway and Kurilpa Bridge”
- SupportedA LinkedIn post by senior TMR adviser Michael Langdon commemorating an “end of an era” drew dozens of tributes from transport professionals, academics and advocates.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “A LinkedIn post by respected TMR senior adviser Michael Langdon, commemorating an “end of an era” after the team was disbanded on October 30, was met with dozens of tributes from transport professionals, academics and advocates of active transport.”
- SupportedThe government said the team was realigned into another group and there were no job losses.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The state government said the active transport team had been realigned into another group, and there were no job losses.”
- SupportedA TMR spokesman said the team moved to the newly established Engineering Delivery Support Group, focused on delivering active transport projects across Queensland.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““TMR has a walking and cycling infrastructure team which has moved to the newly established Engineering Delivery Support Group, focused on delivering active transport projects across Queensland,” a TMR spokesman said.”
- SupportedThe government said the move would bring walking and cycling expertise into planning and design earlier and strengthen delivery of active transport projects, including Games-related work.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “This masthead was told realigning the team into the engineering group would bring walking and cycling expertise into the planning and design process earlier, which would strengthen the delivery of active transport projects, including for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
- SupportedLabor transport spokesman Bart Mellish called the news “incredibly disappointing … but not surprising given this government’s disdain for cycling and active transport.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Labor’s transport spokesman Bart Mellish said the news was “incredibly disappointing … but not surprising given this government’s disdain for cycling and active transport”.”
- SupportedMellish said the team “did great work for cycling outcomes over a number of years, and it is sad to see them disbanded.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““This team did great work for cycling outcomes over a number of years, and it is sad to see them disbanded,” he said.”
- SupportedThe Crisafulli government committed $4 million to the School Transport Infrastructure Program in 2025-26, while the previous Labor government had budgeted $16 million for the same period before losing the October 2024 election.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The Crisafulli government committed $4 million to the School Transport Infrastructure Program, which provides active travel grants to councils, in 2025-26. The previous Labor government had budgeted $16 million for the same period before it lost the October 2024 election.”