Active Inclusion offers special funding to sport and recreation clubs looking to build their own capacity through enhanced education and training programs, the recruitment and retention of volunteers, and by encouraging participation in sport and recreation from within their community.

Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall said Cairns was chosen to host the first trial because it has the highest public transport patronage of any regional city, a wide variety of road types and a tropical climate.

"Cairns is the ideal place for us to assess how well the bus performs in many different situations," he said. 

"The trial will assess potential emission reductions and test the viability of hybrid diesel-electric bus technology under various Queensland conditions."

Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism and Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall said Tablelands Futures Corporation had been approved for $75,000 in funding under the Queensland Regional Development Initiative.

Member for Barron River, Steve Wettenhall, said the trial service would operate three times each week day (excludes Saturday and Sunday) for three months (July to September) and a decision on whether to extend this period would then be made depending on patronage levels.

"It really is a case of use it or lose it. I have heard the call from Redlynch Valley Estate residents for a bus service to the estate – and urge residents to remember it will continue only if enough people use it," Mr Wettenhall said.

Mr Wallace joined the Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall at the base of the range today to announce the first instalment of the Bligh Government's Safer Roads Sooner program out of the recent State Budget.

Minister Wallace said up to $500,000 would be spent boosting visibility and safety for motorcyclists on the popular tourist road. 

"The safety improvements will include raised reflective pavement markers, audible tactile line marking and extra guardrails at specific locations on the range," he said.