ALGA applauds North Sydney move on differential parking fees to encourage low emission vehicles
16 February 2005
The move by North Sydney Council to introduce a sliding scale of residential parking permits with lower fees for smaller vehicles and higher fees for large four wheel drive and eight cylinder vehicles has been applauded by the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell.
"Congestion and pollution are serious issues in our inner cities," Cr Bell said.
"We need to look at sensible and innovative ways to encourages the use of lighter, more environmentally friendly vehicles in high density areas.
"As the Mayor of North Sydney, Genia McCaffery, has said, the council is not targeting 4WDs as such, rather it is rewarding the use of vehicles with low fuel consumption and low greenhouse emissions.
"Motor vehicles are responsible for around 70% of urban air pollution in our cities while the cost of congestion has been estimated at around $12.8bn a year, $6bn of which is incurred in Sydney alone.
"The fuel used by cars increased by 16.8% from 1990 to 2000 and the emissions increased by 22.2% in the same period. And with car traffic projected to increase by 33% in Australian capital cities between 2002 and 2020, that means more pollution, more accidents and more noise.
"Local government is keen to press ahead and examine ways to achieve sustainable urban transport in order to improve the lives of all those who live in our major cities.
"Sustainable urban transport will be a key feature of ALGA's National Roads and Transport Congress to be held in Launceston on 3-5 July this year," Cr Bell said.
