24 May 2022: The Climate Election Demands Transport Changes

[ozbob]

The Climate Election Demands Transport Changes

24th May 2022

RAIL Back On Track members say whilst the dust is still settling from the Federal election the results have already sent a clear message that people want change.

Inner city Brisbane electorates like Ryan, Brisbane and Griffith, have seen strong results for climate, cost of living and housing affordability. Right across Australia, candidates who reflected these community concerns won more votes.

Transport plays a significant but frequently unrecognised role in reducing carbon emissions, cost of living and housing unaffordability.  Today, the transport sector is the second largest source of emissions in the Australian economy, and emissions are growing fast. Further, cars currently represent the largest source of transport emissions in Australia with emissions growing by 25% since 1990 (1).

For over 15 years, RAIL Back On Track  has campaigned for greater focus on and funding for active and public transport as well as freight rail. And it's not just because we like trains. It's because prioritising these forms of transport:

* reduces carbon emissions.
* improves access to jobs.
* creates healthy and active communities.
* makes our suburbs safer and more enjoyable to live in.
* grows stronger and more resilient local economies.
* minimises the impact of rising fuel costs.
* require a fraction of the tax-payer subsidies that motor vehicle trips do.

Over those 15 years, consecutive Governments at all levels have said "We know what we are doing. We're got this sorted" and yet continued to build car-dependent cities, communities and economy. Well if there is one thing the weekend's Federal Election results showed is that the people of Brisbane have said very loudly "No you don't. It's time for change"

RAIL Back On Track  calls for all major freeway expansion or road upgrade commitments made during the federal campaign to be redirected to improving active/public transport and freight rail such as:

1. Green Bridges and other delayed active transport projects
2. Separated Bike Lanes on all our roads
3. Cost of Living review of Public Transport Fares
4. SEQ Bus-Rapid-Transit (BRT) Network Design including Bus Lanes on all major roads
5. All train stations being made Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant
6. Park 'n' rides converted into co-located transit-oriented, mixed-use Affordable/Social Housing
7. City Plans amended to create walkable, transit-oriented, mixed use developments around all commercial centres plus railway and major bus stations
8. Rail Network Upgrades for example the Beerwah-Maroochydore (CAMCOS), Springfield-Ipswich, North-Coast Line, and ETCS deployment across the entire Citytrain SEQ Network

Further, all levels of Government need to redirect their current and future transport investments in SEQ away from further freeway and road expansions towards these initiatives.

This Federal election was fought on issues relevant to all levels of Government and it is time for change.
It is time for improved public and active transport!

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org


1. Australia Climate Factsheets - Vehicle Emissions
https://climateanalytics.org/publications/2019/australia-climate-factsheets-vehicle-emissions/#:~:text=The%20transport%20sector%20is%20the,and%20emissions%20are%20growing%20fast

[ozbob]

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