Transport levy win for air quality and Western Sydney

Wednesday, 20 November 2002 10:00

A decision by the State Government to impose a transport levy on land releases in Western Sydney is a major step forward for clean air and better public transport the Total Environment Centre (TEC) said today.

TEC Urban Campaigner Mr Leigh Martin said "Decades of urban sprawl without adequate public transport have created an air pollution and traffic congestion nightmare in Western Sydney. The introduction of a levy on new land releases will provide much needed funds for rail links, bus transitways and other public transport improvements".

Previous land releases in Western Sydney have not been accompanied by improvements in public transport. The result has been a vicious cycle of car dependency and worsening air quality as existing infrastructure has failed to cope with a surge in population.

"The current public transport system is already bursting at the seams. Delays in the construction of vital transport links such as the Parramatta to Chatswood Rail Link and Bus-Only Transitways due to funding shortfalls have highlighted the need to ensure that public transport in new release areas is fully funded", Mr Martin said.

While welcoming the transport levy, TEC has cautioned that development of the release areas should also be governed by stringent building and subdivision codes such as those developed for the 'Green Olympics'.

"Providing better public transport is a vital part of ensuring an environmentally sustainable future for Western Sydney. However, the gains will mean little if nothing is done to improve water efficiency, promote renewable energy use and protect sensitive bushland areas", Mr Martin said.