Wanted: New policies for healthly air

Friday, 23 November 2007 18:32

TEC Urban Campaigner Mr Leigh Martin said "With national standards for photochemical smog and fine particles being exceeded on a regular basis it is clear that current policies are not working. We need major reform to tackle rising vehicle use and harmful exhaust emissions”.

TEC will present an independent report to the NSW Clean Air Forum today detailing measures needed to curb growing vehicle use and meet air quality goals. The report draws on international and Australia experience and expert studies.

Key recommendations include:

• introducing a London style congestion charge to discourage vehicle use during peak periods and fund new public transport infrastructure;
• requiring large companies and government agencies to allow employees to ‘cash out’ parking entitlements and switch to public transport;
• financial and regulatory support for low emission vehicles;
• bringing forward the north-west, south west and harbour rail links;
• completing the proposed Parramatta-Chatswood rail link, Strathfield-Hurstville rail link, Liverpool Y-link, Newcastle high speed rail, and Wollongong high speed rail no later than 2015;
• a major emphasis on light rail including CBD extension of the current system.

The London congestion charge has directly reduced emissions of dangerous fine particles and oxides of nitrogen by 7 and 8 percent, while CO2 emissions have been reduced by 16 percent.

Use of parking cash out policies in California has resulted in significant reductions in journeys to work by car. Coupling these policies to new public transport infrastructure would produce major air quality and greenhouse benefits for Sydney,” Mr Martin said.