The ACT government has an end date for the registration of new internal combustion engine cars. It will then be illegal to register a new ICE vehicle in the ACT. As a result of supporting the C40 Green and Health Streets initiative the government has effectively agreed to the creation of petrol-powered car free zones by the year 2030 in significant sections of Canberra.
I am appalled that the Labor/Greens government is against the continued use of petrol/diesel fuelled vehicles in the ACT on a selected suburb-by-suburb basis. I supported a motion moved by my colleague, Mr Parton, against the government’s policies restricting petrol-powered and other internal combustion engine vehicles.
I believe in the principle of allowing people to control their lives and enjoy living in Canberra without unnecessary rules. So I cannot accept the Government’s attitude toward imposing prohibitions on petrol-powered cars in certain suburbs.
Why should residents not be permitted to retain fossil fuelled vehicles by choice? The draconian measures fly in face of the concept of free enterprise. They significantly impact the notion of choice.
This over-regulation is unfair! The negative effects will be both practical and monetary. Most, if not all, residents in the planned zones will be severely disadvantaged.
Those residents will wonder why they are being ‘picked on’ and why others who live alongside in the next suburb are not subject to similar restrictions.
We don’t know if petrol/diesel service vehicles, including Government buses, will be permitted to enter or if parking areas will be provided at zone boundaries for vehicles not permitted to enter.
Will appropriate shuttle services be provided for residents and visitors? Will people owners of hybrid vehicles be subject to bans as well?
This new measure of car-type proposals in certain suburbs imposes very significant restrictions. It will impose significant extra costs to even reside in certain areas where replacement vehicles are mandated. People may not be able to afford a replacement vehicle or may be forced into buying an unwanted vehicle or to replace a vehicle earlier.
The real burdens from anti-car government policies will be felt by both businesses and families. Public transport is certainly not feasible for shopping trips and multiple drop-off and pick-up trips for sport and social activities. Is it a viable means of travel for families if they cannot access EVs?
Public transport is not effective for families attending sporting and other social events, many of which are well away from normal routes.
Owners and users of cars will be impacted by car-free days and massive restrictions on the availability of parking. Vehicle parking spaces may be excluded from new apartment and multi-storey developments. So how will residents get safe and convenient access to vehicles for transport or deliveries? How will be businesses involved in deliveries or attendance at the homes of clients be treated?
I questioned whether the regulations will be limited to petrol-powered cars. Clarity is needed to confirm that other vehicles are included. The proposals will add hugely to the burdens of people in the ACT already suffering from cost of living pressures. The lives of many ACT residents will be made far more difficult and uncomfortable.