Push towards “low-emission zone” within Sydney following new sustainable strategy plans
Image: Plans for new walking spaces and light rails around Sydney Image: City of Sydney/Facebook.
By JUSTIN COOPER
City of Sydney council continues to call upon the NSW Government to reconsider options to encourage electric vehicle options throughout the city, following new plans to increase electrified transport and additional walking and cycling options.
New plans apart of the council’s “Sustainable Sydney 2030–2050 Continuing the Vision” strategy are to focus on electric transport options, aiming to limit motor vehicle use throughout the city.
With the city’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2035, council continues to lobby for the NSW Government to reconsider imposing a CBD congestion charge on petrol vehicles or enforce a low-emission zone for road users.
Posting to social media, Lord Mayor Clover Moore says, “reducing reliance on vehicle use is the best thing we can do to reduce transport emissions.”
“Other global cities around the world have already introduced low-emission zones and cordon charges and we are calling on the NSW Government to find a sensible and equitable solution that supports transport electrification,” Moore continued.
City Hub reached out for further comment from Moore, however did not receive comment at the time of publication.
Similar plans have been introduced within the UK, with central London’s Congestion and Ultra Low Emission Zone charges. Aimed to limit the amount of vehicles on the roads and encourage electric vehicles, the charges total to approximately $25 for petrol vehicle users when entering the city.
Plans for increased “green” transport
Whilst encouraging the state government to deliver additional options, City of Sydney council is to pursue extended cycling and walking spaces, and public transport across the city.
Introduced Thursday, council is currently exhibiting options for their “access strategy” and plans to extend public transport options, with new light rail and metro connection throughout the City CBD and Zetland.
This includes developing Broadway into a “green gateway”, with extended walking space, and connecting current cycling and light rail routes across the road.
The plans also include the “greening” of Oxford and Flinders street with extending walking and out-door dining spaces. Additional walking infrastructure around the city centre, high streets and village centre will reduce speed limits on vehicles across the potential walking spaces.
Current plans are open for public exhibition and feedback until August 7.
NSW Government not to impose charges
City Hub spoke with Acting Minister for Roads, Jo Haylen, who promptly declined the potential for additional travel charges amongst Sydney.
“The Minns Government has ruled out putting tolls on untolled roads. That includes congestion charges and zones in the Sydney CBD,” says Haylen.
Following concerns that the former Coalition Government was planning to impose a congestion-charge for vehicles, Roads Minister John Graham called for the end of “toll mania” with an independent review launched by the NSW government back in April.
With the review expected to provide clarity on the current toll charges within the city, the potential for congestion or emission charges are currently limited.
