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Media Release
16 March 2007
City of Yarra supports congestion tax but says the State’s inquiry was too narrow
Yarra City Council Mayor, Cr Jenny Farrar, urged the State Government to seriously consider introducing a congestion vehicle tax, as recommended in the recent Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC) Inquiry.
The Mayor said a congestion tax across inner-city suburbs and the CBD would contribute to combating traffic gridlock on Melbourne’s major roads and arterials by encouraging people to leave their cars at home and to use more sustainable modes of transport.
“Although Yarra philosophically supports a congestion tax, a strategy like this would be pointless without major investment in public transport,” she said.
“Unfortunately the VCEC inquiry parameters were too narrow and only focussed on traffic congestion in relation to cars and roads.
“The City of Yarra would have liked to have seen a more broad vision and approach to considering congestion including overcrowding and congestion on public transport.
“By providing good access to public transport, increasing train, bus and tram services, improving bike paths, and increasing facilities for cyclists and walkers, people will have the option to shift away from cars which, in turn, will help to reduce congestion.
“Recent reports show that only 13% of people in metropolitan Melbourne use public transport to travel to and from work. For Yarra residents, who have good access to public transport, the figure is 35%. The Melbourne 2030 target is a modest 20%.
“The low figure for metropolitan Melbourne is a clear indication that there is an urgent need for the State Government to address the complete lack of capacity on our bus, train and tram networks.”
Cr Farrar said although the City of Yarra had undertaken an enormous amount of work to increase sustainable transport use in the municipality, Local Government could only do so much.
“We have had to be innovative when developing measures to boost cycling, walking and public transport in Yarra,” she said.
“For example we offer staff subsidised sustainable transport incentives, including:
- 10% discount on the purchase of yearly public transport tickets.
- 12.5% discount on the purchase of bicycles and cycling gear.
- Purchasing bikes for staff to use as a means of transport during work hours.
- Reimbursing staff 9.89c per km to use their own bicycles for work purposes.
“We are currently working with many local organisations to get them to take up this green travel program and reduce the number of fleet or lease cars traveling in and around the City of Yarra.
“In addition to this, I have requested Yarra lead a Local Government push to have a light rail service incorporated onto the Eastern Freeway. A report on this will be presented to our next full Council meeting on Tuesday 20 March.
“The State Government also needs to think outside the square to address the issue of congestion.
“We would like to see an integrated transport approach which relies on expansion of sustainable public transport, walking and cycling,” said Cr Farrar.
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