Article: Newman to Henry: Let's talk

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Newman to Henry: Let's talk

Newman to Henry: Let's talk
TONY MOORE
February 18, 2010 - 5:30AM

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman has pleaded with federal Treasury secretary to discuss plans for congestion charging on Brisbane roads, saying council had been left in the dark.

In his review of the Australian taxation system, Ken Henry has flagged possible charges as a means of broadening the tax share to fight the costs of traffic congestion.

The plan would involve introducing some form of user-pays scheme instead of fuel tax or vehicle registration.

It is estimated the cost of traffic congestion will reach $3 billion a year in Brisbane in 10 years.

Cr Newman said any sensible review of taxation to redirect funding for roads should include discussions with Brisbane City Council as the council area with the biggest influence on South-East Queensland.

"If the Federal Government, through its Henry Review, wants to talk about congestion charging, they need to come and talk to us," he said.

Cr Newman said of the 5926 kilometres of roads in Brisbane, 5639 kilometres were council controlled, 213 kilometers state-controlled and 74 kilometres were Commonwealth roads.

Therefore less than 300 kilometres - or five per cent - of roads out of almost 6000 kilometres are federal and state controlled.

Cr Newman said because no officials had spoken with Brisbane City Council, he had deliberately sought out federal government staff members when he visited Canberra last week.

"Brisbane needs federal funding assistance to deal with these problems on our network," he said.

In October 2009, Dr Henry explained his thinking on congestion charging.

"In the face of those costs, why have we stuck to the traditional fuel tax and rego model for cars for pricing access to roads, when sensible pricing seems to offer such large benefits," Mr Henry said.

Dr Henry said in London commuters were compensated for using public transport instead of their cars and in Seattle, motorists were given credits for driving in off-peak times, known in many places as a congestion tax.

Engineering consultancy Infrastructure Partnerships Australia's 2009 report says "by 2020 it is expected that congestion will cost the Brisbane economy around $3 billion per annum".

Dr Henry's review has been finished, and is being examined by the Federal Government.

[ozbob]

Sometimes it seems that in south-east Qld people are punished with poor fare paths, poor frequency of service of public transport, whilst other jurisdictions do the opposite.  We have much work to do ...

[Jon Bryant]

Without a doubt the tunnel contracts will have a clause that says if a congestion tax is impossed across feeder roads then the Council must compensate the operator. They have them for any direct PT competion increase as well.  Great outcome. NOT!!!